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Mr. William A. (Bill) Neal, Jr. a longtime resident of Santa Fe, died Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at The Cottages of Albuquerque, his"second home" during the final three years of his 15-year struggle with Parkinson's Disease. He was born on December 30, 1925 in Batesville, Arkansas and was a World War II US Navy Veteran, serving in the South Pacific theater. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and English. He and the former Beth Streetman were married on July 13, 1952 in the Little Chapel in the Woods on the campus of the Texas State College for Women in Denton. After a number of years in the newspaper business, Bill made a career change to professional association management. He held executive positions with the Texas Insurance Association and the Texas Daily Newspaper Association. After moving to Santa Fe, Bill served as the first Director of Public Relations for the State of New Mexico's Vocational Rehabilitation Division. Prior to his retirement in 1989, he served for 12 years as Executive Vice President of the Realtors Association of New Mexico in Santa Fe. Bill was a Life Member of the Public Relations Society of America and a past President of the New Mexico Chapter. He belonged to the National Association of Realtors and was elected to their Omega Tau Rho Society. He was also a member and past President of the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe. Bill was preceded in death by his father, William Alfred Neal, Sr., in 1965; his mother, Dorotha Naomi Neal, in 1993; his two brothers, Leonard Fowler Neal, in 1966 and Billy Gene Neal, in 1981. Bill is survived by his wife of 50 years, Beth; daughter, Leslie Elizabeth Neal;"grand-cat", Whimsy; and much loved"Cottages Family", all of Albuquerque. His loving spirit and wonderful sense of humor will be greatly missed. Whenever you see a field of beautiful New Mexico wildflowers, think of Bill. Peace and happiness to a beloved husband and Daddy. A celebration of Bill's life will begin at 10 a.m., Monday, September 30, 2002 at Central United Methodist Church. Interment at the Santa Fe National Cemetery will follow at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Arrangements by French Mortuary, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE.
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