Johnny W. Bone

Johnny W. Bone, age 74, of Pea Ridge, left this world on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. He was born Dec. 3, 1938, in Pea Ridge, to Duly and Beatrice Bone. Other than a short period of time in California he had been a lifelong resident of Pea Ridge. After high school he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Hawaii on the USS Harveson. After being discharged from the military he returned to Pea Ridge and married Joyce McNelly on Oct. 16, 1961. They had two sons, Johnny Jr. and Tony. Johnny spent many years as a coast to coast truck driver, and owned and operated J&E Automotive, but his main love was always auto racing. Johnny started out drag racing with his brother, Eddie Bone. He raced the circuit until the early 1970s when Johnny's good friend, Bill Warren, asked him to drive for him at Beaver Lake Speedway in Rogers. Johnny was now hooked on dirt oval track racing. He went on to win multiple championships with family and friends. Johnny was inducted into the Ozark Area Racing Association Hall of Fame in 2008. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eddie; and nephew, Darrell, all of Pea Ridge. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Joyce; sons, Tony and Johnny Jr. and wife Kendy, all of Pea Ridge; brother and sisters-in-law, Irvin & Effie McNelly, Verginia Warren, Lometa & James Sandlin, Pat & Gary Stanfield and Larry McNelly, all of Bentonville; Jerry & Lavin McNelly, Lawanda & Don Shockley, Linda & Hank Gorman and Calvin & Mary Dillow all of Pineville, Mo.; nephew Rick Bone of Pea Ridge, and niece, Debbie Evans of Seligman, Mo.; great-nephew, Brently Bone of Rocky Comfort, Mo.; three great-nieces, Jamie, Tonya and Haley. Service is set for Wednesday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. at The Ridge Community Church in Pea Ridge. Visitation is set for Tuesday, Nov. 12, 5-7 p.m. at The Ridge Community Church. Burial will be at Buttram Chapel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Ridge Community Church Food Pantry, 836 N. Curtis Ave., Pea Ridge, AR 72751. Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net.