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.

BELLA VISTA — Norman Francis “Bill” Williams Jr.

of Bella Vista, Ark., died June 26, 2018. He was born on July 17, 1944, in Jackson, Miss.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman Francis Williams, Sr. and Geneva West Williams.

A citizen of Cherokee Nation, Bill was raised in Norman, Okla., and moved to Little Rock, Ark., where he attended Hall High School. From 1962 to 1968, Bill proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps, which included a tour in Vietnam. In later years, he became a committed member of the Veterans for Peace movement. After serving in the Marine Corps, he worked as a newspaper photographer and reporter for several Little Rock news outlets, and then as a Little Rock police officer. For the last 20 years, Bill was an innkeeper and served his community on the Bella Vista Property Owners Association and Benton County Election Commission.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly; three sons, Jeff (Marcy), Mark (Paige) and Joel West (Michelle); two sisters, Ginny Linebarger and Carolyn Sue Mazzo; five grandchildren; and many friends.

Bill was buried in the Fayetteville National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial gifts be made to the Nature Conservancy in Arkansas, 601 N. University Ave., Little Rock, Ark., 72205, The National Native American Veterans Memorial at nmai.si.edu/nnavm, or your local homeless shelter.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers.

Memories may be shared at stockdalemoodyfs.com.

BENTONVILLE — Charlene Michael Ferguson, 84, of Bentonville, Ark., passed away on Sunday, July 1, 2018, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born Jan. 18, 1934, in Pine Bluff, Ark., to Edward Joseph Michael and Blanche Carr Michael.

She was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings.

Charlene is survived by her husband of 55 years, Jerry Wayne Ferguson; two children, Tammy Ferguson (Scott Langum) of Green Forest, Ark.; son, Harold Ferguson of Eureka Springs, Ark.; two grandchildren, Wesley Kilbourn of Green Forest, Melissa Ferguson of Mountain View, Ark.; four sisters, Delores DeMaine (Oscar) of Pine Bluff, Gloria Daniel (Billy Pat) of Dumas, Ark., Margaret Hancock of Sheridan, Ark., and Blanch Garner (Bobby) of Pine Bluff.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., Thursday, July 5, 2018, at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Chapel in Rogers. She will be laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark., at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Circle of Life Legacy Village, 900 NE Verdant, Bentonville, Ark.. 72712.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale Moody Funeral Services of Rogers.

Words of comfort may be shared at www.stockdalemoodyfs.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Donald Raymond Melzark, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away on June 27, 2018, at age 92. He was born Sept. 6, 1925, in Moose Lake, Minn., to Adam Joseph and Jennie (Mohelski) Melzark.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jolene Melzark, two brothers, and four sisters.

Don enjoyed baseball and fishing with his children. He spent most of his adult life in Napa, Calif., and moved to the Fayetteville area in 2009. He was involved in organizing the Rosary group at Morningside Assisted Living Facility in Fayetteville, where he had spent the last seven years of his life. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren.

Don is survived by his son, Mark Melzark of Fayetteville; daughter, Denise Yates and her husband Ken of Fayetteville; son, Michael Melzark and wife Tonya of Fayetteville; three grandchildren, Chris, Scott, and Blake; one great-grandchild Tegan; and many friends and loved ones.

A visitation will be held Saturday, July 7, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville, with memorial service to follow. Condolences may be given online at www.nelsonberna.com.

GENTRY — Lyman Williams of Gentry, Ark., died June 28, 2018, at the Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark. Lyman was born May 21, 1937, in Boatman, Okla., to Hugh and Dell Williams, who preceded him in death along with his wife Kathy and brothers Van and Trenton.

Lyman lived in the Gentry area for the past 65 years, where he farmed and engaged in other businesses, including hardware, health food, produce and real estate.

Lyman is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Joy, Jay and wife Shirley, Delton and wife Lee, and Lorie Wagner and husband Todd; step-children, Rick Fisher, Bruce Fisher, Elizabeth Yeagley and husband David; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sisters, Twila Williams and Nora Krein-Slikkers; many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Lyman is remembered for his big heart, warm smile and open home.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 14, at 7 p.m. at the Springtown Adventist Church outdoor pavilion on Fairmont Road.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark., 72762. Please visit Lyman’s memorial page at www.WestfieldChapel.com.

GENTRY — Dianna “Toodie” Lea Laswell, 71, of Gentry passed on Sunday, July 1, 2018, at Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. She was born in Siloam Springs, Ark., the daughter of Earl and Maxine McNair.

She had a love of nature and loved animals especially squirrels and skunks. She worked with the State of Arkansas in animal rehabilitation. She went to tech school where she obtained a degree in computer science. She worked a few years at Ozark Electronics of Siloam Springs. She also worked a few years in maintenance at Rogers High School, leaving a great impression on many people.

In her spare time she was a homemaker and loved spending quality time with her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, and her aunt Lee Twiggs.

Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Richard Laswell; three daughters, Dawn Officer, of Tulsa, Okla., Dania Corter and her husband Jimmy of Gentry, and Delta Allen and husband Zane of Siloam Springs; one brother, David McNair and his wife Barbara of Colcord, Okla.; seven grandchildren, Grant Corter, Josh Corter, Ryan Corter, Alyssa Allen, Curtis Officer, Kaylyn Officer, and Caleb Officer; and other numerous family members.

A celebration of Toodie’s life will be at 2 p.m., July 7 at First Christian Church of Gentry. All are welcome to attend.

Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home of Gravette. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.

LINCOLN — Ottie Mae

Yates, 90, a resident of Lincoln, passed away Sunday, July 1, 2018, in Fayetteville. She was born May 3, 1928, in Pea Ridge, Ark., the daughter of Francis Marion and Gertrude (Engles) Martin.

Ottie was well traveled both in the U.S. and abroad having been stationed in Guam with her husband Arthur. Ottie lived in Lincoln, Ark., for over 50 years where she was very involved with her Church of Christ family.

Ottie was a hard-working women, she had owned several business, was employed at the Bank of Lincoln, Empire Gas and EOA where she retired.

Ottie also loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was a

very loved Mother and Grandma, all the children loved spending days at grandma’s house.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Arthur Yates and three brothers, and three sisters.

Ottie is survived by her children, Kenny Yates and wife Denise of Fayetteville, Mike Yates and wife Shari of Hope, Ark.; nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren; one sister, Janet Goldsbrough; numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. before the service. Funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at the Luginbuel Chapel. Burial will be in the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark. No graveside service will be held at the cemetery.

Online guest book, www. luginbuel.com.

PRAIRIE GROVE — Shirley Ann London, age 72, a resident of Prairie Grove, Ark., went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, July 2, 2018. She was born Oct. 23, 1945, in Prairie Grove, the daughter of Nealy Austin and Gertie Belle (Phillips) Jones.

Shirley retired from the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services in Fayetteville where she was a dedicated secretary for 30 years. She loved singing and using her talent for the Lord with the Glen Faulkner Singers and her church family. She was a member of the New Sulphur Freewill Baptist Church in Prairie Grove.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Laverne Crisp.

Survivors include her husband of 50 years, Vernon London; two daughters Deanna Spears and husband Danny of Van Buren, Ark., and Melinda London of Prairie Grove, Ark.; one sister, Maxine Lossing of Centerton, Ark.; two grandchildren, Garrett and Allison Spears.

The family will receive friends Thursday, July 5, 2018, from 6-8 p.m. at Luginbuel Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, July 6, 2018, at New Sulphur Freewill Baptist Church in Prairie Grove, Ark. Burial will be in the Howell Cemetery in Hogeye, Ark. There will be no graveside service held.

Online guest book, www. luginbuel.com.

WINSLOW — Wanda Faye (Vaughn) Kelly, 83 years old, of Winslow, Ark., passed from this life on June 30, 2018. She was born on Aug. 8, 1934, in Fayetteville, Ark., to Norman and Frances (Jones) Vaughn.

Wanda would go on to work for the Fayetteville City Hospital for many years. She lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures. She always enjoyed chatting with her friends. Wanda also loved to study the Bible. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and dog Molly.

Wanda is preceded in death by her husband, Roland Kelly; her parents, Norman and Frances Vaughn; a son, Bobby Kelly; and three brothers.

Left to cherish Wanda’s memory are her children, Teresa Gibson of Winslow, Ark., Larry Kelly of Pettigrew, Ark., and Ricky Kelly of Fayetteville; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at Westfield Chapel Funeral Home in Springdale, Ark.

Please visit Wanda’s online memorial at www.WestfieldChapel.com.