NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — William Sanford Smith
BENTONVILLE — William Sanford Smith, 83, of Bentonville, passed away April 17, 2010, at his home. He was born Aug. 12, 1926, in Ashland, Kan., to the late Charlie and Edith Smith.
He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Coaching Pee Wee Football for 10 years, Sanford also enjoyed coaching Little League Baseball for six years.
He retired from Wal-Mart Warehouse No. 2 in 1989. He was a member of Centerton Missionary Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Michael Smith; and two sisters, Martha Eblem and Francis Busick.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Della Smith; two sons, Roger Smith, of Bentonville, and Randy Smith and his wife, Shelly Smith, of Centerton; one daughter, Terri Heimirman, of Wichita, Kan.; one brother, Jim Smith and his wife, Virginia, of Waterwood, Texas. He is also survived by nine grandkids, 12 greatgrandkids and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at Rollins Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 22, at Centerton Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Tim Ward offi ciating.
Burial will follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
Condolences may be offered at www.rollinsfuneral.com.
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Vernon Edward Knutzen
BELLA VISTA — Vernon Edward “Vern” Knutzen, 80, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Thursday, April 15, 2010, in Bella Vista. Vernon was born Nov. 12, 1929, in Colon, Neb., the son of Albert and Florence Knutzen.
He was a Korean War veteran. Vern married Georgia Anne Clinton on Sept. 2, 1952, in Fremont, Neb. He was employed by Hormel Inc., and was an award-winning salesman for 35 years. They moved to Bella Vista in 1995. Vern was an avid fisherman and was a Bella Vista Lake Ranger for over seven years.
Vern is survived by his wife of 57 years, Georgia Anne Knutzen, of Bella Vista; son, Steve Knutzen and wife, Angela, of Wichita, Kan.; daughters, Debby Shiney, of Topeka, Kan., and Judy Warner, of Louisburg, Kan.; grandchildren, Anthony Zoucha, Kelli Pruett and husband, Ryan, and Austin Shiney; great-grandchildren, Brayden, Bryan, and Konnor Pruett; brother, Kenny; and sisters, Darlene, Mardel, and Kathleen.
A private service will be held at Highlands Church, 371 Glasgow Road, Bella Vista, Ark.
Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, AR 72715.
In lieu of fl owers, memorials are suggested to the “Bella Vista Veterans Wall of Honor” or Highlands Church.
Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation. com.
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Joy Mae Roberts
ROGERS — Joy Mae Roberts, 78, of Rogers died April 16, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers. She was born March 14, 1932, in Kilsyth, W.Va., to Hattie Mae Vickers and Garnet Chester Bennett.
She had worked for Plymouth Village as a home care assistant.
Survivors include two sons, Steven Roberts and wife Leanna of Washington, and Douglas Roberts and wife Trudy of Sioux Falls, S.D.; a daughter, Kathy Roberts of Minnesota; a sister, Viola Weaver of Rogers; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 a.m. today at Charity Baptist Church in Rogers.
Cremation arrangements by Epting Funeral Home of Bentonville.
Eddie Lee Bone
PEA RIDGE — Eddie Lee Bone, 73, of Pea Ridge, died Saturday, April 17, at his home. He was born Oct. 2, 1936, at Pea Ridge, to Duly and Beatrice Bone.
He graduated from Pea Ridge High School as valedictorian and married Vera Sammon. They moved to California in 1955 to try and find work. His first job was making pallets at a pallet plant in Long Beach, Calif.; this job lasted two weeks. He had a better offer at a door company in Inglewood, Calif., where he stayed for about three months. He then went to work for Standard Oil Company where he worked until 1963. During this time he met his longtime friend, Jack Hibbs, and this also started his racing career. Jack and Eddie pooled their money and built a 1930 Ford drag car. In 1963, Eddie, Vera, and Jack moved back to Pea Ridge and opened J&E Automotive. Eddie did the mechanical work on cars and Jack did the body work. In 1965 a fire destroyed the shop and Eddie went to work for Crane Valve in Rogers where he retired after 34 years. During this time frame, Eddie and his brother, Johnny, drag raced together. In the beginning they both had cars, but Eddie couldn’t drive the cars as fast as Johnny, so Eddie decided that he needed to turn the wrenches and Johnny needed to do the driving.
In 1972 they decided to start stock car racing at Beaver Lake Speedway in Rogers. They won several championships across several states. Eddie was building the racing engines and Johnny was driving. It didn’t take long for them to go from drag racing to racing on oval tracks, building engines and cars that were competitive wherever they raced. In his last days Eddie said there was one last thing he needed to finish. He had been working on an engine for Tony Bone and Johnny Bone Jr. for their race car they were going to race in about 60 days. Eddie was discharged from the hospital on Monday, April 12, and said he just needed a few days to finish the engines. With the help of Tom Tripodi and Brently Bone, on Friday, April 16, at about 5 p.m. he had completed the project. He said he felt that it was going to be one of the best engines he had ever built. He said on Saturday afternoon that he had completed what he needed to get done.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Vera; and his parents, all of Pea Ridge.
Eddie is survived by his loving companion and friend, Ruth Latham, and daughters; two sons, Darrell Bone and Veldia Rideout of Rocky Comfort, Mo., Rick Bone of Pea Ridge; one daughter, Debbra Evans and husband, Roger, of Seligman, Mo.; one brother, Johnny Bone Sr. and wife, Joyce, of Pea Ridge; four grandchildren, Brently Bone and Haley Bone of Pea Ridge, Tonya Evans of Bentonville, and Jayme Evans of Seligman; four great-grandchildren; nephews, Tony Bone and Johnny Bone Jr. and wife, Kendy, all of Pea Ridge; and numerous cousins and friends.
Funeral service is set for Wednesday, April 21, 10 a.m. at Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge with Pastor Ralph Walker offi ciating.
Burial will be at Buttram Chapel Cemetery in Pea Ridge.
Visitation is set for Tuesday, April 20, 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome. net.
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Evelyn Koontz
ROGERS — Evelyn Clarice “Terry” Koontz, 55, of Rogers, passed away Thursday, April 15, 2010, after a brief bout with cancer. She was born Nov. 28, 1954, in Breckenridge, Minn., the daughter of Henry Birchem and Evelyn Reddy.
She was preceded in death by her father; and brother, Joseph.
The world is a little colder and a little bit darker now that Terry has left us. “A Shining Star,” Te r r y w a s defined by her electric smile and genuine caring manner. Terry was the heart and soul of the Koontz Family and Sign Artists, the business that she nurtured and watched blossom. She had many friends in life and business, and the Koontz Family is extremely grateful to everyone who had a chance to visit with Terry before she passed.
Terry leaves behind a loving family, her husband, John; son, Jamie and his wife Tabitha; and the light of her life, grandson, “Aiden;” sisters, Marlene, Sharon, Connie and Debbie; brothers, Dennis, Alan and Henry (Bucky); and her mother and namesake, Evelyn.
Next time you see a shooting star, think of Terry and the brief time she was with us.
A memorial service for Terry will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2010, at Rollins Funeral Home Chapel in Rogers.
Cremation arrangements made under the direction of Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers.
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Harry M. Harmon
HINDSVILLE — Harry M. Harmon, 68, of Hindsville, Ark., died Sunday, April 18, 2010, at his home on the Wa r E a g l e River. He was born Feb. 21, 1942, in Corning, Ark., to Kenneth and Bobbye Harmon.
He attended school in Corning, Ark., and graduated from Hendrix College in 1964. He earned his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1968.
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1970-1972 at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland.
Dr. Harmon established the first pediatric practice in Benton County in 1974 and the first Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery in Northwest Arkansas. He received the 2007 Angels in Adoption award from the U.S. Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. He served on the Rogers School Board from 1991-2005.
He was a charter member of First United Methodist Church, Rogers, and a member of the Contemporary Theology Sunday school class.
He is survived by his wife, Jenny Mack Harmon, whom he married Oct. 26, 1968, of the home; children, Lee Allison Harmon of Santa Monica, Calif., and John M. Harmon of Los Angeles, Calif., and granddaughter, Kate Harmon Hanney of Santa Monica, Calif.; his brother, Todd and Beth of Cotter, Ark.; his mother, Bobbye, of Cotter, Ark.; nieces and nephews, Leslie Harmon Smith and Aaron of Fort Worth, Texas, Emily Harmon of Little Rock, Ark., Laura Woodrow of New York City, and Hunter Mack and Nyree of Oakland, Calif.; sister-in-law, Mary Mack Norton and Bob of Cartersville, Ga.; brother-in-law, John Mack and Harriet of Rogers; and mother-in-law, Ann Mack of Rogers; and numerous extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth; and his nephew, William Cooper Mack.
Services will be at First United Methodist Church, 307 W. Elm St., Rogers, on Wednesday, April 21, at 11 a.m. A reception at the home will follow from 2 to 5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts may be made to First United Methodist Church Chapel Renovation Fund, 307 W. Elm St., Rogers, AR 72756; All Kinds of Minds, 2800 Meridian Parkway, Suite 100, Durham, NC 27713; Mercy Health Foundation of Northwest Arkansas, P.O. Box 98, Rogers, AR 72756; Rogers Public Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1021, Rogers, AR 72756; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements by Stockdale Funeral Services in Rogers.
Online condolences may be made at stockdalefuneral.com.
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Patsy Whitehouse Aldrich
BENTONVILLE — Patsy Whitehouse Aldrich, 79, of Bentonville, Ark., died Sunday, April 18, 2010, in Pierce City, Mo. She was born Dec. 13, 1930, in Chattanooga, Tenn., to Charles Matt Whitehouse and Cecile Walker Whitehouse.
She graduated from Roanoke Rapids Virginia School of Nursing in 1949 and worked as a registered nurse and an operating room supervisor for over 40 years; retiring from St. Mary’s Hospital in Rogers. Patsy’s love of nursing infl uenced many to go into the medical fi eld.
She loved to travel, was generous and respectful of people and loved her family and her dogs “Abby and Kissy.” She was a member of Vaughn Presbyterian Church.
Patsy was preceded in death by her husband, William Clyde Aldrich; one son, William Charles Aldrich; one brother; and two sisters.
She is survived by one son, Michael D. Aldrich and wife Julie of Pierce City, Mo.; four grandchildren, William Kyle Aldrich of Pierce City, Mo., Aaron Michael of Pierce City, Mo., Ashley Aldrich of Bentonville, Ark., Amanda Aldrich of Huntsville, Ark.; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at Vaughn Presbyterian Church with Pastor Lynn Brown offi ciating.
Memorials may be made in honor of Patsy Whitehouse Aldrich to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72764.
Arrangements are by Stockdale Funeral Services in Rogers.
Online condolences may be made at stockdalefuneral. com.
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Arthur Lacey
BENTONVILLE — Arthur “Sunny” Thomas Lacey, 65, of Bentonville, formerly of McAlester, Okla., died April 16, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers. He was born Jan. 13, 1945, in McAlester, Okla., to Albert Lee and Velma Jeanetta Sharp Lacey.
He worked as a computer technician for Walmart headquarters in Bentonville.
Survivors include a son, Rick Lacey and wife Susane of McKinney, Texas; two daughters, Amy Lacey of Dallas, and Alicia Lacey of Rogers; two brothers; and three grandchildren.
Cremation services are under the direction of Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home of Rogers.
Sonja Marie Beason
BELLA VISTA — Sonja Marie Beason, 71, of Bella Vista died April 17, 2010, at her home. She was born May 31, 1939, in Cushing, Okla., to Frederick and Cleo Fox Seibolt.
She was raised and educated in Oklahoma.
Survivors include her husband, Leonard Beason; a son, Gebriel Feris Constantine of California; a daughter, Maya A. Constantine of California; two stepsons, William Travis Beason of Georgia and Christopher Harold Beason of Oklahoma; a brother; and four grandchildren.
No local services are planned. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory.
Gary Lee Tucker
HUNTSVILLE — Gary Lee Tucker, 66, of Huntsville died April 18, 2010, at his home. He was born Jan. 5, 1944, in California to Vivian Kincy and Raymond Walter Tucker.
He was employed with Rogers Tool Works and active with the Rogers Babe Ruth Baseball League.
Survivors include a son, Jeff Tucker and wife Regina of Huntsville; a sister; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Marshall Cemetery in Forum.
Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home of Fayetteville.
Jay Louie Griffin
LOWELL — Jay Louie Griffin, 64, of Lowell died March 19, 2010. He was born Sept. 23, 1945, in Paragould to J. Louie and Kathryn Rosetta Jones Griffin.
He served in the Navy. He was self-employed and worked for many years doing automobile bodywork and paint.
Survivors include a brother, Rickey Griffin of Lowell.
Services will be at noon Wednesday at Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home of Rogers.