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Fayetteville community leader Bill Underwood passes away after cancer battle

Known as "Dadu", William Underwood was a leader in the community, successful businessman, role model and mentor to many.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Community leader William "Bill" Gravely Underwood died on April 2, 2023, after a brief battle with cancer, according to his obituary.

Underwood is credited with starting Underwoods Jewelers in Fayetteville, a store that grew to become a widely known and accredited jewelry store across the nation. Underwood was in the first class of only twenty-nine jewelers in all of America to earn the designation of Certified Gemologist Appraiser, the industry's most advanced title.  

After serving in the Navy from 1952-1956, he moved to Fayetteville to attend the University of Arkansas where he earned a bachelor's degree in Business.

It was during this time that he met his wife LeAnn and started Underwoods Jewelers with a $1,000 loan.

He was heavily involved with the American Gemological Society (AGS) and served as its president from 1988-1990. He served on national and international diamond and jewelry committees and received awards and honors in the industry.

Underwood also held a strong presence in the Fayetteville community, serving on multiple organizations including the Fayetteville Civil Service Commission, the Dickson Street Improvement District and the Rotary Club. 

Bill and his wife LeAnn have made numerous gifts to the community including the Sam M. Walton Honor Lab at University of Arkansas and the Underwood Garden gift to the Walton Arts Center, as well as the media room at The Fayetteville Public Library. 

In 2004, Bill was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Sam M. Walton College of Business and he received the Citation of Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2019. 

Bill was also an avid pilot for 60 years, sharing his passion of flying with family and friends. He was a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, as well as a friend to many.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, April 6 at 2 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville.

Instead of flowers, the Underwood family requests that you consider donations to the University of Arkansas Walton College of Business or the Walton Arts Center.

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