Obituaries

1922-2008

A celebration of life is 1 p.m. Saturday at the Paradise Valley Town Hall for native Nevadan and Carson Valley businessman William B. "Bill" Arant, 85. He died April 29, 2008, surrounded by his friends and family in Winnemucca after a brief illness.

Born in Dec. 14, 1922, in Golconda to Banks and Rosalie Roberts Arant, he was the fourth of five children. He grew up and attended school in Winnemucca and Lovelock. He attended the University of Nevada, Reno, but his college career was interrupted by World War II, where he served in the U.S. Army infantry and saw combat in Europe and later Korea. He was a lieutenant when he left the Army. He studied in Mexico City and then returned to Nevada where he received his bachelors in economics.

Mr. Arant married Carolyn Repp Arant Oct. 29, 1954, in San Francisco.

After living in California and Utah the couple settled in Carson City. They had three children, Matthew (Washington, Iowa), Joel (Brighton, Iowa), and Holly (Ted) Bowen (Victoria, B.C.), and three grandchildren, Fran (Iowa City, Iowa), Van (Santa Barbara, Calif.), and Betsy (Iowa City, Iowa).

As an insurance and real estate broker, Mr. Arant was a partner in Valley Insurance and Realty, managing the Carson City and Gardnerville offices. He also had other business interests in western Nevada, including partnerships in a liquor store and two mobile home parks.

Later he became a partner in the Martin Hotel, a landmark Winnemucca restaurant. He enjoyed this so much that he eventually sold his interest in Valley Insurance. He moved to Paradise Valley and managed the Martin Hotel full-time, in time as the sole proprietor. Mr. Arant was on the founding board of Great Basin Arts & Entertainment and began the tradition of donating the Martin banquet room to help bring live new and traditional music to Winnemucca.

He participated several times in the re-enactment of the Pony Express mail runs from St. Louis to Sacramento, and served from 1983 to 1985 as the president of the National Pony Express Association. While president, he traveled to Czechoslovakia as ambassador to the Czech Pony Express Club's commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express, where he was received not only as a Pony Express representative, but as one of the liberators from the Nazi occupation. He also participated in 1996 when National Pony Express Association members carried the Olympic torch from Julesburg, Colo., to St. Joseph, Mo. The NPEA was the only group of torchbearers who carried the torch on horseback.

His main interest was people, and he had many, many friends. He also loved the outdoors, particularly the landscapes of Nevada. He enjoyed horseback riding and camping and exploring ghost towns. He also was an avid reader. He was intellectually curious and always ready for a good debate. He also enjoyed his weekly poker game in Paradise Valley.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made in his name to the Paradise Valley School, P.O. Box 33, Paradise Valley, NV 89426. Dog treats for Freckles may be left with or sent to Dan Collins, Paradise Valley.

1928-2008

A funeral service is noon Saturday at St. Gall Catholic Church for 20-year Minden resident Arthur A. Campanile, 79. Mr. Campanile died April 30, 2008, at his home.

Born Dec. 22, 1928, in Trenton, N.J., to Francisco and Dolores Rosalita Cuadra Campanile, he served with the U.S. Air Force in the Korean War.

Mr. Campanile was a steel draftsman.

He is survived by a son, Ken of Irvine, Calif.; daughters Laureen Mesa of Stateline and Karen Schmidler of Pleasanton, Calif.; brothers Frank and Ernest; and five grandchildren.

A graveside service is 1 p.m. May 6 at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, Calif.