Obituaries

OBITUARIES Information for the obituaries and funeral notices below was supplied to the Arkansas

Democrat-Gazette Advertising Department by funeral homes. For more information including cost and deadlines contact the advertising department at (501) 378-3889. FARMINGTON —

Walter George Miller Jr., 74, passed away at 10 p.m. on July 24, 2017, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark., following complications from surgery. He was born Oct. 21, 1942, in Chicago, Ill., to Walter G. Miller Sr. and Rita Woitas Miller.

He grew up in the Chicago area and in 1960, joined the U.S. Navy for a three-year tour as an electrical engineer.

At the age of 35, Walter returned to college and graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Southwest Missouri State University (currently, Missouri Southern University). He continued his studies in taxation as a post-graduate at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.

He moved to Arkansas and was registered as a certified public accountant in 1984. The following year, he was inducted into the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants and in 1989 he founded the firm of Miller & Schroeder, CPA’s Ltd., with his friend and business partner Susan Schroeder.

He grew the successful public accounting firm because of his expertise in tax and business strategies and planning. Walter was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and served as chairman of the Litigation Support Services Committee under the auspices of the Arkansas Society of CPAs.

He was a writer and frequent guest speaker addressing tax and financial issues facing entrepreneurs, and was honored with the society’s “Best Teacher” award for his presentations of professional continuing education for other CPAs. After nearly two decades of practice, Walter retired when the firm was sold to another local public accounting firm.

Walter married Kathryn Hunt on Oct. 11, 2001, and she survives. Together they enjoyed traveling, attending the symphony, and theater. An erudite individual, Walter also enjoyed spirited discussions about books, movies and current affairs.

He took great pleasure in fine dining, lively debate on philosophy, theology or politics and smoking a good cigar on his front porch. He taught Sunday school at area churches he attended, most recently at Prairie Grove Methodist Church, where he led an adult class for several years. Walter was an avid reader.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents and brother Kenneth. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn of the home, stepdaughter, Shawna Douglass and her husband Bill, of Redlands, Calif., stepson, Ryan Cox and his wife Tamar, of Dallas, Ga., and grandchildren, Zach and Drew Douglass and Colton Cox.

With a heart for the disadvantaged and destitute, Walter supported organizations such as the Salvation Army, Peace at Home Family Shelter, Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, Seven Hills Homeless Shelter and others. No services are planned, but he will be remembered by family and friends at the home on Thursday, July 27, at 5:30 p.m.

Arrangements have been made by Beard’s Funeral Chapel of Fayetteville. Committal of ashes will be held privately at a later date. Contributions to any of Walter’s favorite charities or to one of the donor’s choice would be appreciated as a compassionate gesture to honor his life. Online condolences may be made to www.beardsfuneral chapel.com. HUNTSVILLE — WQ Hall, 88, of Huntsville, Ark., died July 24, 2017 at the Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark. He was born July 16, 1929, at Seminole, Okla., the son of Willard Quincy and Zola Mae Vaughn Hall. He was a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and held his law degree from the University of Arkansas. He was an attorney for 62 years and a Korean era veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a member of the Huntsville United Methodist Church and a 51-year member and past master of Huntsville Lodge 364, Free and Accepted Masons. He was active in the Huntsville community and served many years as the Judge for the Huntsville Municipal Court.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera Virginia Smith Hall on March 12, 2014. Survivors include: two sons, Tim Hall of Huntsville, Ark., and Todd Hall of Fayetteville, Ark.; one daughter and son-in-law, Lydia and Cory Scates of Springdale, Ark.; two grandsons, Zack Hall of Rogers, Ark., and Mark Hall of Little Rock, Ark., and two granddaughters, Elizabeth Jordan Hall of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Quincee Scates of Springdale, Arkansas.

Services 10 a.m. Friday, Brashears Funeral Home-Huntsville with the Reverend Brad Moore officiating. Interment Huntsville Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Zack Hall, Mark Hall, Blake Clardy, Tom Greenway, Mark Greenway and Randy Greenway. Visitation: 6-8 p.m., Thursday at Brashears www. brashearsfuneralhome.net. Memorials may be made to the Huntsville Friendship Club, Post Office Box 762, Huntsville, Ark., 72740-0762.

LOWELL — Ms. Sara Susanne McCleland, age 49, of Lowell, Ark., passed away, Tuesday, July 25, 2017, in her home. Susan was born March 14, 1968, in Fayetteville, Ark., to Melvin C. McCleland and T.J. McCleland.

She was employed with Tyson Foods for over 11 years.

Susan was preceded in death by her father Melvin McCleland and her grandparents. She is survived by her children, Johnthan Griggs of Fayetteville, Ark., Jordan Martin of the home, her mother, T.J. Polk of Rogers, Ark., one brother, Scott McCleland and half-sisters, Leslie and Theresa.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, July 27, 2017, and a Funeral Service at 2 p.m., Friday, July 28, 2017, both at Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home.

ROGERS — Robert Garrett McDowell Jr.,

76, of Rogers went to his real home in heaven Monday, July 24, 2017, at the Circle of Life Hospice. He was born Oct. 18, 1940, in Sunrise, La., the son of Robert G. McDowell, Sr. and Rita Mae Lemoine McDowell. Robert was a civil engineer in Louisiana, Arizona and Arkansas. He attended Central United Methodist Church in Rogers and was very active in the Children’s Ministry. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah Staples McDowell; three children, Robin McDowell and husband Stephen Burrows, Paige McDowell, Gary McDowell and wife Debby; grandchildren, Ashley, Marci, Emily, Emma and Eric; great-grandchild, Cora; his sister Linda Villarrubia and husband Steve.

Memorial services 11 a.m. Friday, July 28, 2017, at Central United Methodist Church, Rogers. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Children’s Department at Central United Methodist Church in Rogers or Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville. Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers.