David Sloan Wells Randle

David Sloan Wells Randle, 94, departed this life on October 17, 2015 after a lengthy illness. He was born July 21, 1921 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the son of Olin Collard Wells and Davis Sloan Wells. He grew up in Little Rock, and was a graduate of Little Rock Central High. He enrolled in Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, and in 1942, volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was assigned to the 381st Bomb Group stationed in England as a navigator on a B-17. On December 1, 1943 while completing his fifth mission, he was shot down over Germany and taken prisoner in Belgium. Randle was held captive as a POW in Stalag Luf Waft 1 in Germany until his liberation by the Russians on May 13, 1945. Upon returning to Little Rock after the war, he and Norma Jeane Wynne of Little Rock were married on December 21, 1945. The Randles moved to Michigan, where David attended Michigan State University in Lansing, and graduated with a degree in Forestry. The couple returned to Little Rock, where Randle was employed by Dyke Brothers Lumber Company, and subsequently transferred to Fort Smith and Fayetteville. He established and owned Ranco Building Supply in Fayetteville, Arkansas for 30 years. A Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force and recipient of the Order of the Purple Heart, Randle was on the board and a member of Central United Methodist Church, a member of the Fayetteville Country Club, Lion's Club, Town Club, the Old Man's Breakfast and Toastmasters. He was also a past president of the Mid-America Lumbermans Association and a 32nd Degree Mason. He resided at Butterfield Trail Village. He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepfather, John Wallace Randle, as well as nieces and nephews. He is survived by his wife, Jeane, of Fayetteville; his daughters, Robyn Faucette (Keith) of Cherry Lake, Florida and Kimberly Randle of Fayetteville; his son David Randle of Memphis and Fayetteville; and three granddaughters, Wynne Keas (Tim) of Fayetteville, and Hannah Randle and Willow Randle of Memphis and Fayetteville. Seven great-grandchildren, Will, Robyn, Maggie, Jude, Daniel, J.J. and Cristiana of Fayetteville also survive him. Visitation with the family will be held Wednesday, October 21 from 5-7 p.m. at Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville. On Thursday, October 22, a Memorial Service will be held at Central United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. Memorials may be sent to Central United Methodist Church, the Fayetteville National Cemetery and the Wounded Warrior Project.