OBITUARIES
Walter Lee Cloyd
Walter Lee Cloyd III, 70, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, after a long battle with multiple cancers at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Ark. He was born June 20, 1946, in McComb, Miss., to Walter and Carroll Cloyd.
He was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1969 with a degree in physics. He received a master’s degree in Business Management from Webster University.
He was a 25-year career-military officer in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. He was an Airborne Ranger. He was a current member of the local chapter of American Legion and Military Officers Association of America. He retired to Bella Vista in 1994 and managed The Greens timeshares in Bella Vista and was a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker. He loved golf and traveling in his RV.
He is survived by wife of 48 years, Patsy; two sons, Ryan Cloyd of wife Michele of Danville, Ill., and Master Sgt. Gregg Cloyd of Herndon, Va; four grandchildren; two brothers, Jeb Cloyd and wife Cindy of Birmingham, Ala., Dr. Mike Cloyd of Pelham, Ala.; and a sister, Becky Phillips and husband Bill of Birmingham.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016.
Burial will be in Shreveport, La., on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be appreciated for the American Cancer Society (5434 Walsh Lane, Rogers, AR 72758), Melanoma Research (1411 K St. NW STE 800, Washington, DC 20005), the Bella Vista Animal Shelter (32 Bella Vista Way, Bella Vista, AR 72714) or the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista (1880 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, AR 72715).
Online condolences may be made at www. funeralmation.com.
Phyllis Irene Cornwell
Phyllis Irene Cornwell, 82, of Rogers, Ark., died Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Ark. She was born Feb. 23, 1934, in Washington, Iowa, to Glenn and Greta Owens.
She lived in Northwest Arkansas since 2010 after moving from Branson, Mo. She enjoyed music, reading and spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; and a grandchild, Lori Cornwell.
She is survived by two sons, Robin Cornwell of Bella Vista, Ark., and Jeffrey Cornwell of Rogers; a daughter, Lesli Smith and husband Norman of Bella Vista; a brother, Ron Owens and wife Genie of Illinois; a sister, Shirley Kunzman and husband Charley of Iowa; 12 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.
The memorial service was Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, at Hope Church in Bentonville. The Rev. Hal Graves officiated.
Arrangements were by Epting Funeral Home of Bentonville.
Condolences can be made at www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.
William Drake Jr.
William Drake Jr., 89, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Friday, Dec. 3, 2016. He was born on Nov. 16, 1927, in Highland Park, Ill., to William Drake Sr. and Edith Winter Drake.
He worked as the regional economist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri River Division in Omaha, Neb., for more than 20 years. He enjoyed playing tuba in numerous bands, fishing with his family and playing bridge with his wife and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Drake; a son, Richard Drake; a brother, Francis Drake; and three sisters, Ruth Knightly, Esther Strub, and Sylvia Lindskog.
He is survived by his children, Brian Drake and wife Annie of Altus, Okla., Cindy Lidgett and husband Dan of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Ruth Welch and husband Mike of Fort Worth, Texas, and Bruce Drake of Affton, Mo.; and 8 grandchildren.
No services are planned at this time.
Gerald Lee Elsbury
Gerald Lee Elsbury, 81, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Friday, Dec. 10, 2016, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Ark. He was born Oct. 2, 1935, to Ted and Eleanor Elsbury in Rockwell, Iowa.
He served in the U.S. Air Force.
A private family service will be held.
Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory.
Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.