TAPS

Photo

Name

*Additional pictures may be on the Photo Gallery:  3rd column Meetings, Members and Misc. (Taps is under Misc.)

Birth Date - Birthplace

Death Date - Home place

AR MVPA Membership

MVPA Membership

IN REMEMBRANCE OF . . . .

Frank D.   Wiser

1933  Havana

12  May 10 Clarksville, AR

Frank D Wiser, 77, passed away Wednesday May 12, 2010.  He was a native of Havana, son of the late Porter and Ratha Rogers Wiser, graduate of Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and the University of Arkansas with a vocation agriculture degree.  He served in the U.S. Air Force in Alaska;  taught vocation agriculture; retired from the USDA FmHA as county supervisor; was an ordained lay preacher; 37 years a member of the American legion and spent the last 23 years farming.   Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Beatrice Trost Wiser; one daughter, Cecilia R Wiser of Fayetteville; one son, Grant E. Wiser of Alton, IL; two brothers, Henry Wiser of Boron, CA and Roger Lee of Havana; three sisters, Ida Hall of Belleville, Betty Reed of Hensley and Molly Fish of Garland, TX.  Frank became a member of the AR MVPA when the chapter participated in a Veterans' Day parade in Clarksville.

Billy D. Templeton

26 FEB 22 - Clemons, Iowa

 22 DEC 09 -Lee's Summit, Missouri

Honorary Associate Member

Billy Templeton:  We first met Billy and his wife Lou at the Veteran's Day Parade in Branson, MO.  He was a passenger in Bob Blakeney's GPW. He attended the 2007 MVPA Convention in Little Rock, AR as a part of the "Authors" booth, where he signed and sold his book Manila Bay Sunset - The Long March Into Hell.  Billy joined the service prior to WWII as a combat radio operator on a B17.  He participated in the first mass flight over the Pacific to Clark field in the Philippines.  He served in the Philippines until his capture by the Japanese, survived the Bataan Death March, was transported on a "Hell Ship" and was a slave laborer in China until his liberation at the end of the war.  He often shared his experiences at schools, citizens groups and military organizations.  After his military service he worked for the Federal Aviation Administration for 31 years.  He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, the DAV, the Heart of America Chapter of Ex-POW's, the Military Writers Association and the AR MVPA.  He is survived by his wife, Louanah, of 38 years (from Newport, AR), 5 children, 16 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.  One son predeceased him.

*Bobby Lee Cook

03 APR 09 Oppelo, Arkansas

Ten Year Milestone Member

*MVPA Member

Bobby Cook:  Bobby was a core members of the AR MVPA.  He seldom missed a meeting or event, until his illness of the past few years hindered him from driving, and he had difficulty getting around.  His easy going personality and friendly smile leaves an empty spot at our gatherings.  Bobby was  a member of the HCR Hunting Club.  He enjoyed hunting and was an avid fisherman.  Bobby worked for Arkansas Kraft for 25  years.  He was a Mason, a volunteer fireman, and a member of the Perry Baptist Church. He is survived by  Doris, his wife of 51 years, 1 daughter, Leigh Ann, and 1 granddaughter, Emilee.  One son, Steve, predeceased him.  

*Additional pictures and information are posted on the Photo Gallery

Matthew B. Martin

01 OCT 62 Jerseyville, Illinois

11 FEB 09 Cave City, Arkansas

Matthew B. Martin: 46 of Cave City, AR passed away 11 Feb 09 at the Cave City nursing home.  Matt was born on October 1, 1962 in Jerseyville, IL.  Matt was a member of the AR MVPA from 1999-2000.  He was also a volunteer at the Military Museum of Hardy.

*L.L. "Red" Williams

01 JAN 09 Morrilton, Arkansas

Charter Member

*MVPA Member

Red Williams:  Red was a hard worker from an early age.  At 13 he got a job at the Ford Place where his father worked.  He did odd jobs, sweeping, pumping gas and fixing flats.  During high school he worked weekends in the oil field.  Red joined the Navy at age 18. The day after returning from boot camp he and his buddy had a double wedding.  He married Hazel Hall from Stephens, Arkansas.  He soon shipped out to Sangley Pt., Philippines.  He served as a port waist gunner.  Red was honorably discharged from the Navy on May 5th, 1948.He and Hazel have two  children, Sue Ann and Dolph.  Red worked for Shell Oil Company for a number of years.  Over the coming years Red and Hazel ventured into many of their own small businesses that landed them in Rushton, Louisiana, where their children and off-springs reside.  After retirement Red and Hazel moved to Petit Jean Mountain, where Red could pursue his love of antique and military vehicles. A military memorial service was held for Red at the Petit Jean Overlook.  The color guard presented Taps and a flag ceremony.  It was a cold drizzly morning, but was well attended.  Red's ashes were scattered at the overlook.  He had loved living on Petit Jean Mountain.

*Additional pictures are posted in the photo gallery.

09 Mar 40 Spearville, KS

14 Mar 07 Little Rock, AR

*MVPA Member

Richard Otho Wade, a core member of the Arkansas MV Travelers, passed away March 14, 2007, just five days after his 67^th birthday.  In Arizona, on the way hove from vacation in June of 2004, Richard suffered a major stroke, leaving his left side paralyzed.  On the way to the hospital he suffered a major heart attack.  In the Phoenix hospital he developed pneumonia.  In checking his chest x-rays the doctors discovered he had fast growing lung cancer.   Richard and his wife, Arabelle, had to cancel their plans to attend the Mobile, Alabama Convention.  After a month in the hospital he was flown by helicopter to Little Rock for continued treatment.  Richard was determined to “walk” out of the hospital.  We were all inspired by his determination and struggle to “beat the cancer”.  He was the first recipient of the “Golden Spark Plug Award”, the highest award to a member of the AR  MVPA.  In spite of his confinement to a wheelchair he attended every Arkansas MVPA event possible, as well as the National Conventions in Duluth and in Dayton.  He didn’t just attend events, he participated.  You may have seen him dancing with Arabelle in his wheelchair in Duluth.  The club is restoring his WC 55 and he was right there scraping rust off the frame.  Richard maintained his witty sense of humor to the end.  He is survived by his wife:  Arabelle; his son Richard Wade, Jr. and family; his daughter AraLea Seachris; and family and his daughter AnaLea Noble and family; and a host of other relatives and friends.  We will all miss him.