Leslie C. Somerville

Leslie C. Somerville, age 71, of Rogers, died Nov. 28, 2013, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville. He was born Dec. 3, 1941, to the late Stanley and Ivus (Roles) Somerville. Leslie was a lifelong resident of Rogers and attended Rogers schools through his senior year, which he spent with his sister in Valiant, Okla., where he graduated high school. During high school, he was a lifeguard at the Lake Atalanta pool. For over 30 years, he was an operator/dispatcher at SWEPCO, from which he retired. After SWEPCO, he worked at Rainbow Cycle and Marine (where he spent all his checks on motorcycles), and later for Tyson Distribution. Leslie was a member of Oakley Chapel United Methodist Church, where he was a past chairman of the Administrative Council, and was the "Chairman" of the Holy Grounds coffee group. He coached and umpired for Rogers Little League in both the T-ball and Babe Ruth Leagues. He was known to call a "strike" a "strike"-– even if his own mother was at bat. He was also a Rogers Volunteer Fireman, a member of the Rogers Jaycees, and a past member of the Elks Lodge. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Linda (Bland) Somerville, whom he married on Oct. 7, 1967; his son, Kip Somerville and wife, Ceree of Garfield; a sister, Peggy McCarty of Rattan, Okla.; and two grandchildren, Corbin Somerville and Kaylin Brouhard. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Dorothy Somerville, Donna Robinson. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, at Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Oakley Chapel United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Benton County Memorial Park. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, or to the Oakley Chapel Building Fund. Arrangements are by Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers. Online condolences may be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.