Versatile Ott was a tourism icon, much more

Bill Ott

He was known by many names.

William E. Ott II. Bill. Minister Bill. City Council member. Eureka Springs advocate. Even Santa Claus.

To many, though, one description topped them all.

“Most of all, I am missing Bill as a good friend,” said Mike Maloney, director of the Eureka Springs City Advertising and Promotion Commission who said he knew Ott for more than 20 years.

William Ernst Ott II, 75, who was born Oct. 10, 1950, passed away Saturday, April 18 after suffering a reported medical issue.

In the days since Ott’s death was announced on social media, comments from all over the city and county have flooded various posts. They all had the same theme.

The consensus: Regardless of the role Ott was serving, from council member to tourism and hospitality guru to religious servant to Jolly Ol’ St. Nick, the person was always the same, and the mission was always at the forefront of his mind, according to many.

That mission? Making Arkansas, particularly Eureka Springs, a better place to live and visit. It became his passion locally the moment he moved to Carroll County from Hot Springs.

“Eureka Springs lost one of our outstanding and loving personalities last Saturday,” Mayor Butch Berry told the Times-Echo on Tuesday, April 21. “Bill Ott, Bill O., Mr. Santa Claus, Minister Bill, William E. and Mr. Alderman and a Rotarian, he was known for these and many more roles that he loved to play and lived.

“I think he lived to make people laugh. He was a consummate actor, always on stage. You can find Bill’s fingerprints not only in

Eureka Springs, but all over the state of Arkansas when you mention tourism or hospitality. He gave his heart and soul to Eureka Springs.”

When Ott moved to Eureka Springs, he quickly became acquainted with Berry, the mayor said.

“I’ve known Bill almost since the day he moved here from his hometown of Hot Springs,” Berry said. “I worked with Bill in many ways, when we were both aldermen, and again when he was re-elected while I was mayor. He was always looking at ways to help make Eureka Springs a better place to live, play and work.

“It’s hard for me to imagine Pine Street and Eureka Springs without my friend, Bill Ott. He lived a day at a time. He became a large part of my life over 25 years ago, and I know he will remain a part of my life and Eureka Springs. I’m pretty sure he’s up in Heaven making them laugh and figuring out how to make the most out of his new role as a helper to God.”

KNOWN STATEWIDE

Ott was inducted into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame during the 48th Annual Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism held in Fayetteville in 2022.

The award is presented annually to an individual or group who have “actively been involved in Arkansas’s tourism industry for many years and who have made substantial contributions to the betterment of the industry as a whole.”

That seemed to perfectly describe Ott, based on memories shared by stakeholders in Eureka Springs.

“In Arkansas, Bill has been known for decades in the world of tourism,” Maloney said. “I have known Bill for over 20 years. Bill was funny and quirky, but intensely focused on helping tell the Eureka Springs story.

“At the Governor’s Conferences, Bill was always a force. Many times, he opened the conferences with prayer and purposely studied the conferences to gain as much new knowledge of the industry as possible.

“Bill will be missed as one of the leaders promoting tourism in Eureka Springs and most certainly the State of Arkansas.”

THE PATH TO EUREKA

Ott was born in Chicago in 1950 to William and Betty Yvonne Jester Ott, according to online background information.

His family moved in 1955 to Hot Springs, where Ott graduated high school. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1972 from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, then known as Arkansas State Teachers College/State College of Arkansas. Ott also served two years in the R.O.T.C. program while in college, according to an online biography.

Ott’s career in communications, marketing and hospitality began in 1975 and spanned various roles at iconic Arkansas destinations.

“After starting as an announcer, he became the news and sports director for KBHS Radio,” the biography stated. “Next, he worked for Pittman & Associates as an account executive and creative marketing director on the accounts for the Hot Springs Advertising & Promotion Commission, Magic Springs Family Fun Park, Hot Springs Mountain Tower and Mid-America Museum. He went on to be the director of convention sales for the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce.”

Ott went on to serve as the director of group sales, guest relations and media relations for Oaklawn Jockey Club before taking on that same role for The Bathhouse Show in Hot Springs, where he also performed, according to his bio.

From there, Ott relocated to Eureka Springs, where he began a 20-year stint at the Crescent Hotel and Spa and Basin Park Hotel, where he retired as marketing and communications director.

“His additional contributions to the tourism industry are wide ranging, from serving as a hometown liaison to national and international press during the 1992 presidential campaign to working with the Miss Arkansas Pageant for 41 years,” Ott’s bio reads. “He has planned, coordinated and led numerous ‘Goodwill Tours,’ to key geographic markets to promote the state, and attended national trade shows …”

Ott also had a passion for civic involvement, serving with many local and state organizations, including the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Club, Hot Springs National Park Rotary Club, Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce, Mayor’s Tourism Task Force, Eureka Springs Group Travel Committee, Historic Hotels of America, Eureka Springs Rotary Club, Eureka Christian Health Outreach, the Eureka Springs City Council, Arkansas Municipal League’s Economic Development Advisory Council and the University of Central Arkansas’s Alumni Association.

Other interests included theater, writing poetry and plays, watching old black-and-white movies, making people laugh and Face-timing with family, Ott’s bio reads.

“But, most important to him is volunteering for charity organizations such as … the Pastoral Care Team at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, which assist congregants in need of transportation and visitations; Answering The Call, which delivers groceries weekly to local area shut-ins; and Eureka Christian Health Outreach, a free health clinic for those who cannot afford Medicare and have no insurance,” his background reads.

In addition to the award received in 2022, Ott was honored over the years with the Hot Springs Community Service Award, the Arkansas Parks and Tourism Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, the Historic Hotels of America Ambassador of the Year, and the First King of Eureka Springs’ Mardi Gras.

COMMUNITY RESPONDS

Post after post on Facebook filled the numerous announcements of Ott’s passing, offering memories of the impact he made on the community.

“It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of our dear friend and board member, Bill Ott,” the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce posted on its Facebook page on Monday, April 20. “Bill served on the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce Board for many years, and after retiring from his long career at the Crescent Hotel and Basin Park Hotel, he rejoined with the same passion and dedication we had always known. He was also an active member of our Ambassadors Committee and someone we could always count on — whether it was volunteering at events, celebrating ribbon cuttings, or stepping in whenever he was needed.”

Visitors to Eureka Springs likely saw a glimpse of Ott’s passion, as well, the chamber’s post read.

“Many in our community knew Bill as Santa, a role he graciously embraced for years, bringing joy and magic to countless families,” the post reads. “Others knew him as a wedding minister, having performed thousands of ceremonies here in Eureka Springs. No matter the role, Bill gave his time and heart freely. Bill loved Eureka Springs and its people deeply.

“He had a gift for lifting spirits, even during early Monday morning board meetings, and was always ready with a smile and a great story. He will be missed tremendously by all of us at the Chamber and throughout the entire community.”

The Crescent Hotel’s Facebook page offered similar thoughts in an April 20 post, saying that Ott shaped “the voice of hospitality through his work with the Crescent and Basin Park Hotel, where he was part of our hotel family for more than 25 years…,” the post reads. “Bill was many things to many people — a performer, storyteller, minister, and friend. To so many, he was also Santa Claus, bringing joy, laughter, and a larger-than-life spirit wherever he went.”

Jack Moyer, vice president and general manager of the Crescent and Basin Park Hotel, echoed the comments of many in his words to honor Ott’s life.

“Bill’s impact on Eureka Springs and far beyond simply cannot be measured,” Moyer said. “A member of the Tourism Hall of Fame, Bill helped shape the voice of hospitality through his work with the Crescent and Basin Park Hotels, as well as throughout Arkansas, from Hot Springs to Oaklawn.

“Bill ran it through the finishing line as he served as an alderman for Eureka Springs, led and supported the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce, was active in Rotary, and gave his time and heart to countless causes up until his passing.”

Ott’s passing has already left a void in the community, Moyer said.

“I saw it all in the first person as I officed with Bill for over 25 years,” Moyer said. “He was a performer, a storyteller, a minister, a friend, and for many of us, Santa Claus himself.  He loved and appreciated Eureka Springs.

“He is already missed by me and the hotel family.” 

CELEBRATION OF LIFE PLANNED

Ott’s arrangements are being handled by Westfield Chapel Funeral Home and Cremation in Springdale.

The Crescent Hotel is planning to host a “celebration of Bill’s life” on Father’s Day weekend, Moyer told the Times-Echo, with more details to come.

STEADFAST IN BETTERING HUMANITY

Ott’s faith and selflessness were evident until his final days. In fact, in one of his final Facebook posts, Ott shared a message that epitomized the life he lived, according to those who knew him best. 

It was an April 14 sharing of a Bible verse from Romans 12:8 that Ott originally posted in 2014.

“If it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

And so he did.