FAYETTEVILLE — Heath Wade Lance,

52, beloved husband, father, grandparent, son, and brother, departed this life on November 4, 2021, at his home in Fayetteville, Ark. Heath wa s born on September 30, 1969, in Little Rock, Ark., to Farris Dewayne and Anne Lance.

Heath graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in 1995. Despite his accomplishments in engineering, his love for books, reading, and Civil War history, inspired him to change careers and become a librarian in Tech Services at Rogers Public Library.

Heath also co-founded and served as secretary of HIV Arkansas, a local non-profit organization for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in Northwest Arkansas. Just prior to his passing, Heath received an award for his 15 years of dedication and service to HIV Arkansas. Heath’s life is epitomized by this award, for he truly lived a life guided by love. He enjoyed hiking, exploring, reading, fishing, watching Star Trek, and celebrating his favorite holiday, Christmas. Heath spent his life loving, caring for, and serving others. Anyone who met him knew right away that Heath genuinely cared for them. He may have been a man of few words, but his actions of love spoke volumes in the lives of those around him. He will forever be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

Heath is preceded in death by grandparents, JC and Jewel Lance of McCrory, Ark.; and Darl and Dorothy Wood of Huntsville, Ark.

Heath is survived by his husband, Michael Burks; and his beloved dog and sidekick, Arizona, both of the home. He was the proud father of daughter, Ashley Hall of Springdale, Ark.; son, Anthony Burks and wife Alexis, of Carencro, La.; four grandchildren: Hayden and Daxton Hall of Springdale, Ark., Scarlett and Audrey Burks of Carencro, La.; Parents Farris Dewayne and Anne Lance of Huntsville, Ark.; brothers: Charles Rhett Lance, Sr. and wife Ginger of Huntsville, Ark.; Kevin Lance and wife Dawn of Siloam Springs, Ark.; nephews: Charles Rhett Lance, Jr. and wife Jessica of Hindsville, Ark.; Jake Lance of Huntsville, Ark.; Jason Harriman of Hindsville, Ark.; nieces: Mackenzee Lance, Madissyn Lance, Maycee Lance, Myka Lance, all of Siloam Springs, Ark.; Cindi Strahand of Hindsville, Ark.; great-nephews and nieces: Blane Morin; Caleb Harriman; Hartlea Harriman; Hunter Marshall; Gavin Lance; and Brock Lance all of Hindsville, Ark.

A celebration of life service will be held Tuesday November 9th at 11 a.m., at Westfield Chapel Funeral Home in Springdale, Ark.