Wesley Duane Murtishaw

Lt. Col. Wesley Duane Murtishaw, 82, of Fayetteville died Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. He was born Sept. 19, 1931, in Abbott, Ark., to WD and Meryle Little Murtishaw. Wes spent his early years in Jacksonville, Ark., and Bossier City, La., and moved with his parents to La Porte, Texas, in 1943, where he graduated from high school in 1948. Wes served in the Strategic Air Command of the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1973, and was an active member of the Arkansas retired military community. Upon retirement, he attended the University of Arkansas graduating with a master's degree in 1976. Wes joined Scarborough, Bassett & Lance accounting firm in 1975 and became partner in 1979, establishing Scarborough and Murtishaw CPAs. In 2006, the firm merged with William P. Cook & Associates and Wes remained with them as a licensed CPA until his death. Wes was very active in his profession and the community. He was past president of the Arkansas Society of CPAs, a member of the Lions Club for 40 years and president for one year and past chairman of the finance committee and member of the administrative board for the Central United Methodist Church. He served on the first board of Butterfield Trail Village, was chairman of the board for nine years and was named director emeritus upon his retirement from the board. Wes was also an avid Razorback sports fan, and loved golf and his Monday night poker game. Wes is predeceased by his wife of 39 years, Patricia Ann Carr; his parents; and his brother, John Michael Murtishaw. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Porterfield Murtishaw; children, Jessica Anderson and husband, Dudley, of Dickinson, Texas, Wayne Wilson and wife, Joanne, of Phoenix, Ariz., Duane Rice Murtishaw of Houston, Texas, Cheryl McNeil and husband, Norman, of Fayetteville; sister, Jane Murtishaw and husband, Howard Lindsey, of Dickinson, Texas; grandchildren, Brian Anderson, James Anderson, Duane Rice Murtishaw Jr. and Teresa Lemon; stepchildren, Troy Meyers, Stefani Buhajla and husband, Joey; step-grandchildren, Anna and Hallie Buhajla and Ethan Pursley. A service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2014, at the Fayetteville National Cemetery, under the direction of Beard's Funeral Chapel. Private interment will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Cremation arrangements by Beard's Chapel. Contributions may be made to Washington Regional Hospice. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.