Arthur William Cruse

Arthur William Cruse, 92, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, at his home in Bella Vista. He was born on Sept. 28, 1919, in Kingfisher County, Okla., to Noel T. Cruse and Kathryn Armbrust Cruse. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II as a combat pilot receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, Airman Medal, Combat Medals, French Croix De Guerre with Palms and the French Liberation Medal. He moved to Bella Vista in 1982 from Dallas, Texas. He was a member of the Bella Vista Community Church. He was a sculptor, and belonged to the Bella Vista Art Club, Department of Veterans Affairs Club and Veteran of Foreign Wars Club. He is survived by his wife, Vera H. Cruse of Bella Vista, Ark.; one son, Gary William Cruse and Zola L. Cruse of Grapevine, Texas; one daughter, Cathy Marie Koze and Leon C. Koze of Greenville, Texas; one brother, Lester Lee Cruse of Vian, Okla., one sister, Lessie Marie Cearley; three grandchildren, one great-grandchild; and several nephews and nieces. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, at the Bella Vista Community Church, with Pastor Jeffrey Reed officiating. Burial will be at the Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.