Walter Douglas Rather

Walter Douglas "Doug" Rather, 72, of Rogers, Ark., passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014. Born Jan. 17, 1942, to Walter L. and Elizabeth Walker Rather, Doug graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1960 and Henderson State University in 1965. In 1968, he completed his masters of social work from the University of Missouri at Columbia. In 1965, he married Shirley Weatherly of Tillar, Ark.; they celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary in June 2014. For more than 30 years, Doug utilized his great love and concern for others as a social worker for the Veterans' Administration, where he retired as chief of social work. He loved music, sports, history, nature and the outdoors — especially when shared with family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley Weatherly Rather; his children, Staci Phillips (Mike Desola) of Rogers and Mason Rather (Claire Curley) of Maplewood, N.J.; by his mother, Elizabeth Walker Rather, and brother, John Rather (Becky) of Little Rock; and his grandchildren, whom he adored, Caroline and Cole Phillips of Rogers, and Sam and Lily Rather of New Jersey. A visitation service will be held Sunday, Aug. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rollins Funeral Home, 1401 W. Hudson Road, Rogers, AR 72756. Committal of ashes and graveside service will be held Monday, Aug. 11, 3 p.m. at Crestview Memorial Park and Mausoleum, 3077 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901, with Dr. Bill Brown officiating. The family will receive friends before the committal of ashes from 1 to 2:30 p.m. across the street at Crossgate Church, 3100 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901. The family requests that expressions of sympathy be sent to the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA), 3825 Cawood Lane, Springdale, AR 72762; or the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, 614 E. Emma Ave., Suite 119, Springdale, AR 72764. Online condolences can be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.