James S. Greiner

James S. "Jim" Greiner, 71, of Conway passed away Saturday, June 27 at his home after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

He bravely fought this disease and cherished the additional time that treatment and surgery gave him to spend with his family and friends. He had already survived esophageal cancer and a heart attack. He valued hard work, was a successful businessman, and loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren. His favorite times were spent fishing, hunting, boating, watching little league baseball and traveling with his wife Dee. He also enjoyed baking pies and sweets for others.

Jim was born Sept. 20, 1937 to the late Sylvan John "Zip" Greiner and the late Winnie Faye Miller Greiner in the Plumerville community. He was preceded in death by his parents and his younger sister Donna Walters Marsh of Chattanooga, Tenn.

He spent his early years in Juneau, Alaska before moving back to Conway. He graduated from Conway High School in 1955, where he played football, then spent a short time at Arkansas State Teachers College, now the University of Central Arkansas. He enlisted in the United States Navy and was trained as a sonar operator in Key West, Florida.

Following his naval service, he worked as an assistant plant manager at Universal-Nolan in Conway, the predecessor to Frigidaire. He then co-owned and operated Jim's Auto Parts in Conway and worked as an outside sales representative for Ark-Mo Lumber Company as well as Builders Warehouse Association. In recent years, he built yet another successful company, Conway Specialty Wood Products, a manufacturer of specialty items for the hotel industry.

He and his wife Dee celebrated 40 years of marriage one week before he passed away, and he was a member of First Church of the Nazarene in Conway. They have three children; Janie Kehler and husband Bob of Conway, Jay Greiner and wife Kara of Greenbrier, and Jason Greiner and wife Mendi of Bryant. They have seven grandchildren; Kelsie and Chase Kehler; Peyton and Brody Greiner; and Coby, Caleb, and Caroline Greiner.

Jim is also survived by sisters Jeannine Stokes of Columbia, S.C., and Peggy Keyes of Little Rock. He was affectionately called "BeBop" by all his family and closest friends.

Pallbearers will be Max Tolliver, Trevor Seifert, Matt Seifert, Rickey Johnson, Patrick Abbott, Blake Merritt and Lee Phillips. Honorary pallbearers are Tommy Williams, Bobby Ward, John Lewis, Ray Rodgers, Chuck Seifert, Tommy Abbott, James Beavers and Hal Hunnicutt.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Roller McNutt Funeral Home of Conway, with burial services to follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Church of the Nazarene building fund.

Online guest book: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com