Archive - Jul 2011 - Obituary
July 8th
Kenneth Lee Stafford, 64, of Benton passed away Wednesday, July 6. He was born Dec. 15, 1946, in Ashdown. Kenneth was a retired Hydrologic Tech for the U.S. Geological Survey, a U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret serving in Vietnam and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Benton. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Mildred Stafford, and daughter, Kimberly Brown.
Donald William Mills Jr., 74, of Ward passed away Monday, July 4, at Saline Memorial Hospital Hospice House in Bryant. He was born in Saugus, Mass., Jan. 6, 1937, to the late Donald William Mills Sr. and Sadie (Rich) Mills. He was a retired U.S. Air Force veteran of 23 years, serving as a security policeman, and also was retired from the U.S. Postal Service.Â
In addition to his parents, Mr. Mills was preceded in death by an infant sister.
July 7th
Truman E. Ashcraft, 83, of Pine Bluff, died Wednesday, July 6, at his home. He was born May 14, 1928, in Tull the son of Ernest and Delva Tull Ashcraft. Mr. Ashcraft was reared and received his early education in Tull and Pine Bluff, graduating from Pine Bluff High School. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict.
Alma Onice Winkler, 90, of Alexander, passed away July 5. She was born June 14, 1921, in Sheridan, to the late Winfred and Lila Middlebrooks Avery. Alma was a member of the Lawson Pentecostal Church in Little Rock.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Rev. Walter Winkler, brothers, Louis Avery and Grandval Lee Green.
Willard Drennon, 75, of Benton, passed away July 5. He was born March 20, 1936 in Paron to the late Noah and Grace Drennon. Willard was of the Church of Christ faith. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force.
Survivors include his wife, Irene Drennon of Benton; sons, Anthony Demato of Sherwood and Willard Drennon, Jr. of Benton; daughter, Patricia Cavlvic of Kansas City, Kan.; brothers, Wilson Drennon, Duell Drennon, Donald Drennon, all of Hot Springs, Ronald Drennon of Benton; sister, Sherry Huggs of Hot Springs; three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
July 6th
The calendar is full of holidays and “national” days. In fact, about a month ago we here at the paper celebrated “National Donut Day” with a box of two dozens glazed beauties from Dale’s. We are not one to ignore a perfectly good donut in the name of calorie counting.
Dora Dean Buckner, 80, of Benton, passed away Monday, July 4, at the Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock.
Dora was born November 3, 1930, in Colgate, Okla. to parents, W.W. and Clara Bradshaw. Dora was a retired registered nurse and she was of the Pentecostal faith.
She is survived by one daughter, Clara Wilson of Benton; Â one step-daughter, Martha St. Claire of England; one brother, Lawrence Bradshaw of Benton; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers.
Cecil W. Wyllia, 55, of Alexander, passed away July 5. He was born October 10, 1955, in Little Rock to the late Arthur and Mottress Roberts Wyllia. Cecil was a Veteran of the United States Army. He attended the Pentecostal Church of God in Benton.
Cecil was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Tammy Wyllia.
Survivors include brothers, Ansel Wyllia and wife, Kathy of Alexander, Doug Wyllia and wife, Charline of Alexander and one grandson.
A graveside service is by Ashby Funeral Home and will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Pine Crest Cemetery with Elizabeth Witt officiating.
Sophie McNeil, 69, of Alexander passed away Sunday, July 3. She was born Feb. 9, 1942, in Benton. Mrs. McNeil was a CNA and a member of Highway 5 Church of Christ.Â
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dan and Chlloe Caple; husband, James McNeil; two sons, Ronald and Tony McNeil; three brothers, Roy, Coy and Norman Caple; and two sisters, Dannie Marie Evans and Dovie Sue Williams.
July 5th
Cynthia Elizabeth Garner Haley, 85, of Lonsdale, went to heaven July 1.
She was born Feb. 16, 1926, in Lonsdale to Albert and Millie Garner. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Harold B. Haley; her parents; four brothers; and two sisters.
She was a lifelong Arkansas resident and a member of Smith Creek Missionary Baptist Church. She was also a member and past Worthy Matron of Whittington Chapter, and a current member of Congo Hill Chapter and past Grand Ruth, Order of the Eastern Star.
She was a former chief operator for Bell Telephone Co. and a retired nurse.
