Wayne L. McChesney

Wayne L. McChesney, 76, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Nov. 5, 2012, at Willard Walker Hospice in Fayetteville after a lengthy illness. He was born on March 15, 1936, in Oklahoma City, Okla., to Ircel McChesney and Lucille Lindsey McChesney. Wayne was raised in Carthage, Mo., and attended Carthage High School and Pittsburg State Teachers College. Wayne was a Sears manager for 35 years. During Wayne's 35-year career with Sears, he took an active role in the community as president of the Nebraska Retail Federation Board and was instrumental in re-kindling the ailing Junior Olympics. From 1958 until his retirement in 1999, he traveled Texas coast to Lincoln, Neb. Wayne was a member of Village Baptist Church and taught Sunday school for 50 years. He was privileged to go on mission trips to Brazil and Romania. In Bella Vista, besides playing golf, he helped several low income families buy houses. He created the nonprofit organization, PTW Associates, to teach folks how to get out of debt. On Feb. 19, 1960, he married Sharon K. Houk in Joplin, Mo. She survives. Other family members include their sons, Brian (Todd) McChesney of Liberty, Mo., Patrick McChesney of Tempe, Ariz.; and one grandson, Nicklous McChesney of Liberty. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Bella Vista Funeral Home Chapel, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, at Village Baptist Church in Bella Vista, with burial at Ozark Cemetery, Joplin, Mo. Memorial contributions may be made to Village Baptist Church or the Lottie Moon Christmas Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.