Guy H. Wann
SPRINGDALE — Guy H. Wann, 90, of Springdale, died Thursday, July 29, 2010, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale. He was born Nov. 16, 1919, in Chelsea, Okla., to Guy and Lula Melton Wann.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Don Pierce and Billy Pierce; and two sisters, Velda Gilbreath and Katie Pierce.
Guy enlisted in the National Guard and served in the U.S. Army in North Africa and Italy during World War II. After the war he lived in Kansas City, where he worked for General Motors. He later moved to Springdale and worked 32 years for Swepco. Upon his retirement, he and Mabel traveled extensively including a trip back to Italy, where he served during the war. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Springdale. He was a member of the Noon Kiwanis and a member of the Springdale Masonic Lodge No. 316.
Survivors include his wife, Mabel Wann of the home, to whom he married June 11, 1949; one son, Mark Wann and wife, Martha, of Springdale; one daughter, Karen Parker and husband, Randy, of Rogers; four grandchildren, Melissa Murphy, Elizabeth Wann, Carrie Parker and Scott Parker; and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Parley Pierce of Ash Grove, Mo., and Harold Pierce of Norman, Okla.; and two sisters, Marlie Williams of Columbia, Mo., and Carole Trojcak of Missouri City, Texas.
Funeral services will be Monday, Aug. 2, 2010, at 10 a.m. at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale, with the Rev. Cliff Palmer officiating. Burial will be in the National Cemetery in Fayetteville.
Visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72762; or Arkansas Baptist Children's Home, P.O. Box 427, Monticello, AR 71657.
To sign the guestbook online, please visit www.siscofuneral.com or www.facebook.com/siscofuneralchapel.
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William H. Austin
BENTONVILLE — William H. “Bill” Austin, age 86, of Bentonville, Ark., departed this earth on July 26, 2010, in Fayetteville. He was born Aug. 15, 1923, in Pea Ridge, Ark., to the late Oscar Wallace and Marie Gadberry Austin.
He was a graduate of Decatur High School, a veteran of the United States Army, having served his country proudly during WWII, earning the Purple Heart. He was owner-operator truck driver for Tri-State in Joplin, Mo., and also retired from Peterson Industries.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Pauline Austin, of Bentonville; a son, Billy Austin and wife, Donna, of Gravette; a daughter, Judy Vincent of Joplin, Mo.; a stepson, Donny Duncan and wife, Bobbi, of Rogers, Ark.; stepdaughters, Peggi Curtis of Sulphur Springs, Ark., and Patti Livingston of Louisiana; a granddaughter, Jana Green of Chicago, Ill.; and a grandson, Justin Green of Neosho, Mo.; and a sister Margie B. Haas of Orlando, Fla.
He was a loving father to all the children and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 29, at the First Christian Church in Gravette.
Interment was in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Gravette.
Arrangements are under the care of Callison-Lough Funeral Home of Bentonville.
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Clayton Eastburn Witham
SULPHUR SPRINGS — Clayton Eastburn Witham, 93, of Sulphur Springs died July 29, 2010. He was born Nov. 14, 1916, in Philadelphia, Pa., to William and Amy Schultz Witham.
He was employed by Pitney Bowes in Philadelphia and later worked for Quaker City Auto Parts.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, at Shiloh Community Church.
Cremation arrangements are by Callison-Lough Funeral Home in Bentonville.
Avery Thomas Willis Jr.
BELLA VISTA — Avery Thomas Willis Jr., 76, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Friday, July 30, 2010, at his home. He was born on Feb. 21, 1934, in Lepanto, Ark., to A.T. Willis and Grace Carver Willis.
Avery married Shirley Morris on Dec. 17, 1955, in Nowata, Okla. He graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1956. He received his Doctorate of Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Fort Worth) in 1974. He served as a pastor, missionary and author. He was the senior vice-president of overseas operations for the International Mission Board until retirement in 2004. He most recently served as the executive director of the International Orality Network.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley of Bella Vista, Ark.; five children, Randy Willis (Denyce) of Tulsa, Okla., Sherrie Brown (Steve) of Kansas City, Mo., Wade Willis (Suzanne) of Franklin, Tenn., Krista McAtee (Cliff) of Euless, Texas, Brett Willis (Gretchen) of Durango, Colo.; two sisters, Norma Gwartney (Jim) of Tulsa, Okla., Betty O’Steen of Tyler, Texas; 16 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, 2010 at the Bella Vista Baptist Church, 50 East Lancashire Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark.
Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010, at the Bella Vista Baptist Church.
Burial will be in the Bella Vista Cemetery.
Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the International Orality Network or the IMB Lottie Moon Christmas offering.
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Kent Carlton Kelsey
Kent Carlton Kelsey, Lt. JG, USNR, Feb. 3, 1956-July 23, 2010.
Kent served our country as both a U.S. Marine and a United States Naval officer. He was a beloved brother to Ron, Larry, Dan and David Kelsey. He lived in Long Beach, Calif., and Rogers, Ark.
Kent will be buried with full honors at the Fayetteville National Cemetery at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 2.
Godspeed, Brother.
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James H. Woodling
BELLA VISTA — James H. Woodling, 89, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Friday, July 30, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers, Ark. He was born on July 3, 1921, in Linneus, Mo., to Alice (Powell) Woodling and Erving A. Woodling.
He proudly served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Highlands during WWII, and was present for both the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima and the signing of the treaty to end the war. After the service, he worked briefly for TWA before meeting and marrying the love of his life, Margaret Neal in 1948, soon after embarking on a career in auto sales, culminating with Woodling Chevrolet in Louisburg, Kan., from 1955-59.
In 1960, he moved in to the Kansas City, Mo., residential real estate business with McCue McGuire Reality. In 1966, he began what turned in to his true calling, his passion dealing in commercial real estate nationwide with the Leo Eisenberg & Co. Realtors, retiring as senior vice president in 1986.
Upon retirement, Harold and Margaret left Kansas City for Bella Vista, Ark., where he enjoyed many years of playing golf and enjoying the company of family and many treasured friends.
Harold is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Margaret; daughter, Sharon; sons, John, Ron and Jim; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
He will be greatly missed and always loved.
Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bella Vista Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 5248, Bella Vista, AR 72714.
Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.
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Grace V. Miller
PINEVILLE, Mo. — Grace V. Miller, 81, of Pineville, Mo., formerly of Rogers, Ark., passed away July 29, 2010 in Rogers. She was born July 18, 1929, in Keysport, Ill., the daughter of Wesley Sanders and Sadie Long Sanders.
She worked for Tyson Foods for 32 years and retired in 1993. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Pineville, Mo., where she sang in the choir and was a member of WMU. She was a former member of Sunnyside Baptist Church in Rogers. She also enjoyed gardening, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Edsel Miller, who passed away Nov. 19, 1979; and three children, Gary Miller, Karen Cox and Darlene Diaz.
She is survived by her son, Larry Miller and wife, Jo, of Bella Vista, Ark.; two daughters, Rhonda Lett and husband, Dennis, of Pineville, Mo., and Lisa Jo Miller Banzhaf of Bentonville, Ark.; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010, at the First Baptist Church, East Fifth St., Pineville, Mo., with Dr. Larry Crawford officiating.
Burial will follow in the Benton County Memorial Park Cemetery, Rogers.
Visitation will be Monday, Aug. 2, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. Fourth St. Rogers, Ark. 72756.
Online condolences may be made at www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.
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