The Arkansas Florists Association Fund honoring Bill Plummer AIFD has been established in the AIFD Foundation. A lifelong resident of Plumerville, Arkansas, his life of ninety-one years was filled with the love of family, times shared with friends and the pure joy of inspiring others.
Graduating from Plumerville High School in 1947, he attended the University of Central Arkansas, where he received a bachelor’s degree in 1951. He taught high school English for one year before enlisting in the United States Navy where he served until 1956. Upon discharge, he taught school in Salinas, California. Returning home opened a new chapter for Bill that would prove to provide countless opportunities for him as well as the many he met along the way. He opened Plummer’s Flowers in 1958 and thus his floral journey began until he retired in 1999.
Bill expanded floral design education in the state of Arkansas by bringing AIFD® designers to present at state conventions and encouraging Arkansas florists to expand their knowledge of floral design through AIFD® offerings. He served as Secretary-Treasurer of Arkansas Florists Association from 1966 until December 2020. He expanded the duties of this office far beyond the definition. He also oversaw the planning and the coordination of the state conventions throughout his tenure.
“What I appreciated most about Bill was his approachability. I had been a florist for about a year or so when I first started seeing Bill at design shows in the 90’s. I was young and green, and Bill was our venerable leader. I never remember a time when he was too busy to listen, and then to encourage. If you are the busiest person in the room it’s sometimes hard to stop for a moment to listen but taking the extra time to encourage, in his own way, is one thing that made Bill special.” —- 2020 Arkansas Florists Association President Chip Philips
His influence, while centered in Arkansas, was far-reaching. Bill was the only AIFD® Charter member outside of California. This, along with his presence as a prominent show presenter, opened doors to increasing awareness about a new organization called AIFD®. He was an original member of Southern Chapter and chaired Southern Symposia in Fayetteville and Hot Springs, Arkansas. His enthusiasm about AIFD® was contagious and his contacts immense. His heartfelt greeting at each AIFD® Symposium extended from the early days to the 50th Anniversary of AIFD® when he greeted each and every person as they arrived to celebrate the art of floral design. He was an AIFD® Life Member and an AIFD® Laureate. He decorated floats for the Tournament of Roses Parade and was a floral team member for the Inauguration of President Bill Clinton.
His leadership spanned decades. His guidance continues to inspire those who knew him. He dedicated his life to those who spend their days celebrating life’s moments through the art of floral design. May we join together and honor a life that was dedicated to the very heart of our profession.
“When I think of Arkansas floristry, there is only one name that comes to mind and that name is Bill Plummer.” —- Former AIFD® President and Arkansas Florists Association Past President Chris Norwood AIFD
