Benton Armstrong Vizzier

Benton Armstrong Vizzier, age 96, of Fayetteville passed away, May 11, 2015 in Fayetteville. He was born December 25, 1918 in Gillett, Ark. to James and Aveline Bergschneider Vizzier. As a WWII Navy veteran, he attended the University of Arkansas, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering. Through the years he worked in dam construction and flood control followed by many years in electronics manufacturing where he authored multiple patents for processes used to produce parts for the U.S. Space Program. During this time, he earned an MBA degree at Alabama A&M. After retiring, he entered the poultry industry where he stayed for an additional decade before his final retirement. He was an active member of the Golden K Kiwanis's club in Huntsville, Ala. for 20 years and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy Byrd Vizzier, his sister, Marguerite Bieger and his brother, James Vizzier, his son-in-law J. Paul Thaxton, and his daughter-in-law, Gloria Vizzier. He is survived by his daughter, Yvonne Thaxton of Fayetteville, sons, Michael (Leigh), Rick, Benton Jr. (Jackey); brother, Norval Vizzier of Minneapolis, Minn., his three grandchildren, Paige (Sharkey) Burke of Brandon, Miss., Alexandra (Drew) Stephenson of Virginia Beach, Va., Chase (Elyssa) Vizzier of Jacksonville, Fla., six great-grandchildren, Sharkey III, Lillian, Bradley and Thaxton Burke, Janet and Chris Stephenson along with many nieces and nephews. Memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 22 at Saint Raphael's Catholic Church in Springdale. Both he and Dorothy, generous in death, donated their remains to medical science through the University of Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St Raphael Catholic Church's Food Pantry, 1386 S. West End Street, Springdale, Ark. 72764 or the charity of your choice. Cremation arrangements were handled by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home of Fayetteville, Ark. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.nelsonberna.com.