Ronald William Colby, 91, of Bella Vista, AR, passed away on November 20, 2024. He was born on September 20, 1933, in Summit, N.J. To William Ronald Colby and Virginia (Anderson) Colby.

He graduated high school in 1951 and during his senior year was a disc jockey for a local radio show. He also took lessons at the Juilliard school of Music. Following graduation, he attended the School of Visual Arts in NYC.

In 1953, he joined the Army at 19. After basic training he was in the Signal Corps and sent to radar school in Fort Monmouth, N.J. for further training. He was specially selected from there to a unit which provided communications for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He worked right inside the White House recording the President's speeches and conferences. As part of that assignment, he traveled around the country with the presidential party on Columbine II, the predecessor to Air Force One. To the present day, Ron believed his high school disc jockey experience gave him a leg up for the prestigious White House assignment.

After leaving the military, he landed a job at NBC working as a page and spots on the Tonight Show with Steve Allen, The Perry Como Show, The Ernie Kovacs Show, and Howdy Doody.

After his years at NBC, in 1960, he began his next career in advertising, directing radio and TV a commercials. He was heavily involved in animation and music for the Cheerios Kid, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and the Trix Rabbit. He also was responsible for the original Blue Bonnet commercial, "Everything's better with Blue Bonnet on it".

In 1970, Ron transitioned again into photography where he became very successful in his new field. Specializing in the fashion/beauty industry, he shot for Clairol, Revlon, CoverGirl, and the magazines Glamour, Ladies Home Journal, Family Circle, and Redbook. He had 18 cover photos for Redbook. During this period of his career, he was assigned photo shoots of numerous celebrities of the time, sports figures, and well knowns in the music industry.

He again made two reappearances at the White House. One was photographing President Ford's daughter, Susan, for a photo shoot in Florida. The second was on assignment for Redbook photographing the journalist Judy Woodruff with President Jimmy Carter in the Oval Office.

Through all of this, his fondest memory was one weekend in 1954, when he was called into President Eisenhower's private quarters to play films of his grandchildren. The President was alone on an early Sunday morning in robe and slippers enjoying a rare moment of relaxation with only Corporal Colby as a witness.

Ron loved his life and knew he was blessed.

Ron is survived by the absolute love of his life of 40 years, Susan Ferraro, of the home; his daughter from a previous marriage, Anna-Greta Colby of Zurich, Switzerland; his brother, Douglas Watkins (Fran) of Jackson, N.J.; two grandchildren, Tilda Ava Lynn Colby and Jim Eden Ray Colby; and nephew, Michael and niece Gina.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Bella Vista Funeral Home, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, AR 72715 with a memorial service with military honors to follow at 3:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions to the Bella Vista Library Foundation would be greatly appreciated.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.