Wanda Bixler Obituary
Reception to Follow Service Immanuel Baptist Church 501 N. Shackleford Road Little Rock, AR 72211 Monday, April 17, 2023 1:00 P.M.
Map & Directions Service Schedule Celebration of a Life Well Lived Immanuel Baptist Church-Chapel 501 N. Shackleford Road Little Rock, AR 72211 Monday, April 17, 2023 12:00 P.M.
Map & Directions. Memorial Contributions Baptist Health Foundation Baptist Health College Scholarship Fund.
Wanda L. Bixler, 78, of Little Rock, Arkansas went to be with the Lord, April 8, 2023. She was born September 6, 1944 in Turrell, Arkansas to Oliver Cecil and Pearl Ellis Hooker.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Martha Jean Hooker and Mary Feathers, four brothers, Don Hooker, Charles Lewis "Ludy" Hooker, Tommy Hooker, and Russell Hooker. Wanda is survived by her daughter, Crystal Williamson (Michael), two grandchildren, Riley Williamson and Delaney Williamson, one sister Doris Sue Pitts (Wayne d.) and one brother, Richard Hooker (Tami), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Wanda became a licensed practical nurse in 1969, going on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Arkansas in 1974. It was during her time at UCA that she met her lifelong friend, Sandra Payne Kahler. Wanda had many titles in her time as a Registered Nurse at Baptist Health Medical Center - Little Rock, including Psychiatric Staff Nurse, Clinical Coordinator, Unit Supervisor (7B), Department Director for Psychiatric Nursing, and Instructor in Human Resource Development. She left Baptist to pursue her passion for counseling, consulting, and training, founding Bixler Communications in 1981. She returned to Baptist several years later and authored the new employee orientation training curriculum known as Traditions. Wanda would begin class by asking everyone in the room to go around and introduce themselves. She would repeat each person's name back to them at the end of the day, to the amazement of many. Her infectious smile and upbeat attitude were the introduction every new employee at Baptist received, as she taught people "to be nice to each other.". After her time teaching Traditions, Wanda took on a role in which she advised and coached supervisors in their duties. Wanda retired from full-time work in 2013, but continued as adjunct faculty at the Baptist Health College of Nursing until 2020. In December 1977, Wanda realized her dream of a lifetime by adopting a baby girl. She was an amazing mother to Crystal, and raised her to be the kind of daughter any mother would be proud of.
In lieu of flowers please send donations in Wanda's name to Baptist Health Foundation, Baptist Health College, Little Rock General Scholarship Fund, 9601 Baptist Health Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205.
Visitation will be 11:00 A.M., Monday, April 17, 2023 with a Celebration of a Life Well Lived beginning at 12:00 P.M., both at Immanuel Baptist Church Chapel. A reception will follow the service.
