William Serrano McCrystyn

On December 14th, 2024 Bill McCrystyn “Slipped the surly bonds of Earth and began to dance the skies on laughter-silvered wings.” Born William Serrano Christian on July 19, 1946, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Robert A. Christian and Maria Serrano Christian, he was named in honor of both his grandfathers—William on his father's side and Serrano on his mother's. Bill later changed his surname to McCrystyn, reflecting the original family spelling from the Isle of Man. His mother, an immigrant from Monterey, Mexico, could easily trace her roots to Spain.

Bill’s childhood was marked by frequent moves. He attended eight different schools across the country, eventually settling in Alhambra, California, during high school. According to his lifelong friend Jon Kozakis, “High school just couldn’t hold him.” Deciding that traditional schooling wasn’t his path, Bill earned his GED and headed to Oregon to work on a ranch, a decision that would set the tone for a life full of exploration and self-discovery.

A gifted percussionist, Bill was introduced to the world of music at an early age, thanks to his father, a professional musician. Bill fell in love with the drums and developed a lifelong passion for percussion, with the congas and bongos his favorites. Bill’s love for music became a cornerstone of his career. He worked as a salesman, sound technician, and district manager for Pacific Stereo in Berkeley, California, where he had the privilege of direct contact with top entertainers like Neil Diamond, Sergio Mendes, Ravi Shankar, Cat Stephens (Yusuf) and The Jackson 5 to set up sound systems for live performances, including the iconic "Jonathan Livingston Seagull." Bill’s friends could always count on being entertained by a well-balanced delivery of passionate Latin jazz and classic rock via his treasured high-fidelity sound system, a true reflection of Bill’s lifestyle and love for music. 

Bill's interests extended far beyond music. He was an avid nature enthusiast and a talented photographer, with a special affinity for bird photography. Together with his close friend Glenn Forbes, Bill spent years collecting cameras, experimenting with editing software, and printing large-format photographs. His stunning images of birds captured the beauty of nature and his creative vision.

In addition to his artistic pursuits, Bill had a deep love for food and a talent for cooking, which led him to many entrepreneurial endeavors over the years. As a young man, he managed his family’s restaurant in Moro Bay, California, honing skills that would later serve him well as he created and sold his homemade cheesecakes to high-end restaurants throughout central California. He also owned a successful upscale cookware store offering cooking classes from graduates of the California Culinary Institute. In 2001 he moved back to Arkansas where he founded Scoops Homemade Ice Cream, a beloved local institution in Hot Springs for the past 23 years. Known for its original recipes from only the finest ingredients, Scoops became a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike.

A true self-made entrepreneur, Bill was never afraid to invest his time and energy in new ventures. He was a modern-day Renaissance man, with wide-ranging interests that included science, economics, chess, the stock market, and politics. His meticulous nature led him to become an avid stock trader, spending countless hours perfecting his strategies and sharing his knowledge with others. Though a staunch capitalist, Bill was a lifelong Democrat who was never hesitant to voice his opinions on social and political matters.

Those who knew Bill would agree that the best way to describe him was as “hard-headed with a kind heart and a smile that rivaled the Cheshire Cat.” He will be deeply missed by his long-time partner Christine Nichols and her family, friends, and all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. Since Bill's love for California never waned, it is fitting that his ashes will be sent to California where his lifelong friends, Glenn Forbes and Jon Kozakis will scatter them in the places they all loved best.

To Bill, “Salute, dear friend.”

The earth is a depot where wingless angels pass the time,

Waiting for the long journey home

Seeing a small boy, smiling in the corner, I ask him ;

‘You must be anxious to get home?’

‘I am home’ he replied ‘I just come here to play the games’ — Oliver Makin

Arrangements by Arkansas Cremation, 10515 W Markham St, Suite B1, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. If you would like to leave a message of condolence to the family, you may do so using the Guestbook section.

www.arkansascremation.com