David "Bill" William Arnold, Sr., 82, passed away May 18, 2024.  He was born in Butte, Montana the son of the late Thomas Charles Arnold and Mable Francis Arnold.  He was predeceased by his son-in-law, Michael Conery and brother, Tim Arnold.  David retired as a Lieutenant Commander from the United States Navy.  He served during the time of the Vietnam War.  Throughout his time in service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Silver Enlisted Submarine Breast Insignia, SSBN Deterrent Patrol Pin with 9 Stars, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Commendation, and Navy Unit Commendation.

While serving, David raised Yankee Bernard, a Pekinese who was an AKC grand champion.

Following retirement, he and his son Bill built swimming pools for 2 years.  After the pool business, he taught high schoolers at Norfolk Christian and later at Portsmouth Christian.  At Norfolk Christian he taught Biology and was known for cooking whatever the students were dissecting such as octopus, and pig.  David and his family participated in a summer program for housing high school Japanese girls from Japan.  At Portsmouth Christian he taught physical science, drove the school bus, and coached girls' softball.  His tenure at both schools amounted to 20 years.  David never attended a prom in his youth, but he embraced the opportunity as a high-school teacher.  He completed his career as an adjunct instructor at Tidewater Community College- Portsmouth Campus for 14 years where he taught physical science for the Norfolk Naval Shipyard apprentice program, and Anatomy and Physiology for the nurses' program.  David was a member of First Baptist Church, Suffolk and the Thurman Hayes, Sr. Sunday School Class.  He was a deacon, a Gideon, and served on numerous church committees throughout the years.  He was a devout Christian and man of faith.  David loved to hunt and fish in his free time.

David is survived by his wife of 48 years, Julia R. Arnold; children, David "Billy" W. Arnold Jr. and wife Sandra, Yvonne Nadine Conery, Chris Pfeiffer, Katherine Barber and husband Jeff, Elizabeth Ferguson, and Charles W. Arnold and wife Jamie; grandchildren and their spouses, Jessica (Mason), Michael, Nicholas, Kyle (Christine), Kelly (Liam),  Lerah, Aurora, Cody, Aliyah, Judah, Samuel, and Virginia; great grandchildren, Layla, Charlotte, Delaney, Mason, Jackson, Spencer, and Austin; sisters, Barbara Erdos, Marie Loren, Vickie Geldhof, Gina Arnold (Lee), and Lori Jo Nerad (Jim); brothers, Edward Arnold (Judy), and Tom Arnold; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr. officiating.  Entombment with full military honors will follow at Nansemond-Suffolk Cemetery.  Friends may join the family for a time of visitation one hour prior to the service from 1 - 2 p.m. at the church.  Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 237 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA 23434 or The Gideons International, The Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251.  Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.