Former finance director served for nearly 20 years

Deacon William Melville 'Bill' Hartmann died Sept. 24 at 83

Published: October 6, 2016

Deacon Bill Hartmann

Deacon William Melville “Bill” Hartmann, who served almost 20 years as the finance director for the Diocese of Little Rock, died Sept. 24. He was 83.

Hartmann was born Nov. 5, 1932, in San Francisco to Rudolph and Marjorie Hartmann. He graduated in 1954 from the University of San Francisco with a bachelor’s degree in business administration for accounting. Hartmann then served two years in the U.S. Army. He was active in both his church and the community, moving with his wife of 62 years Claire from California to Little Rock in 1963 when his employer, Jacuzzi Brothers International, relocated. Hartmann retired as vice president of finances in 1981 after 22 years at the company.

In 1967, the Hartmanns were founding members of Christ the King Church in Little Rock. Throughout the years he served as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, lector and as a member of the parish council and finance committee.

After he left Jacuzzi, Bishop Andrew J. McDonald hired Hartmann as the diocesan finance director, a job he held until his retirement at the end of 2000.

On Nov. 7, 1981, he was ordained a deacon, joining the first class of the permanent diaconate after “listening to the deeper call of God in his life,” his family said. During his time as a deacon, he taught sacramental preparation, RCIA classes and ministered to the sick and homebound. He retired in 2012.

Hartmann was a member of several community, professional and religious organizations, including the Serra Club and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

He is survived by his wife, Claire Hartmann; three sons, Bob Hartmann, Bill Hartmann Jr. and Edward Hartmann; two daughters, Mary Kay Scott and Joanne Pence; 17 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

A visitation was held Sept. 27 at Christ the King Church. A funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 28 with inurnment at the Christ the King columbarium.