Joseph Audie Yancey

Joseph Audie Yancey "Joe" died at his home in Springdale, Arkansas, on January 27, 2016. Joe was 66 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents, Audie W. Yancey and Edith V. (Harris) Yancey. Joe was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on February 27, 1949. The Yancey family moved to Wichita, Kansas, in 1956, and Joe graduated from Southeast High School in 1967. Joe moved back to Arkansas in 1979. He was employed as a Supervisor at Tyson Foods for 26 years. Joe served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. His basic training was at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Following basic training, he attended the U.S. Army Infantry School in Fort Benning, Georgia, and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. Joe was a noncommissioned officer, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant, and was a squad leader in Vietnam. After an ambush in which he was wounded by a rocket propelled grenade (RPG), Joe still made sure that all of his men who were more seriously wounded were loaded onto a Medivac before boarding it himself. Joe earned the Purple Heart and additional awards during his service. Joe is survived by his two sons, Joseph Adam (Tara) Yancey of Durham, North Carolina; and Cody Alan (Katelyn) Yancey; and granddaughter, Hazel Rose Yancey, of Springdale, Arkansas. Survivors also include his four sisters, all in Wichita, Kansas: Margie (John) Ewing; Margaret (J.B.) Kaufman; Sherry (Eric) Winn; and Kathy (Jerry) Petersen; and one brother, Jerry (Paula) Yancey of Ward, Arkansas; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on February 6, 2016, beginning at 4 p.m., at the Sisco Funeral Chapel, 705 W. Meadow, Springdale, Arkansas. A second memorial service will be held in Wichita, Kansas, at a date to be determined. Online condolences at www.siscofuneral.com.