William Howard Colburn

William Howard Colburn, 85, went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 5, 2012. Howard was born on Feb. 8, 1927, to Samuel Paris and Nancy Ellen Risley Colburn on the family farm in Clyde, where Howard happily lived all his adult life. Howard graduated from Cane Hill School in 1944. He served honorably in the U.S. Army as a World War II veteran from 1945-1947. He was a military rifle marksman, and was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He was a 64-year member of American Legion Post 171. Upon returning from his military service, Howard met and married the love of his life, Betty Jo Hutchens of Prairie Grove. He was a dyed-in-the-wool third-generation farmer on his beloved family farm. His cattle were his passion. He demonstrated amazing courage and determination in recovering from a farming accident in 1982. He was soon back out again enjoying the farm and his many loving friends and family. Howard served many years as an elder at Cane Hill Presbyterian Church, a member of the Cane Hill Cemetery Board and the Cane Hill College Board. Howard and Betty spent many happy years with their Dinner Club friends and their many Cane Hill and Clyde friends. He delighted his family and friends with his warm, wonderful sense of humor. Howard was an avid Razorback basketball fan, attending years of men's and women's games with Betty. Survivors are his wife of 62 years, Betty Hutchens Colburn, of the home; two daughters, Kathy Gubitz and husband, Dave, of Bixby, Okla., and Carol Steen and husband, Ronald, of Davidson, N.C.; one sister, Virginia Walker and husband, Lee, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; five grandchildren, Melissa Beltz and husband, Matt, Amanda Bradshaw and husband, Kevin, Nicholas, Ryan and Jennifer Steen; three great-grandchildren, Madison and Morgan Beltz and Camden Bradshaw. Funeral services will be held today, July 7, 2012, at 10 a.m. at the Cane Hill Presbyterian Church in Cane Hill, Ark., with Bruce Schlegel officiating. Burial will be in Cane Hill Cemetery. No graveside services will be held at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Cane Hill Presbyterian Church in care of Juanita McClellan, 14801 McClellan Locker Road, Cane Hill, AR 72717. Arrangements are under the direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Prairie Grove, Ark. To sign the online guest book, visit www.luginbuel.com.