This page is dedicated to the memory of AR MVPA
members that have passed away. Their lives and hearts have touched ours
and will remain with us eternally in memory.
|
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
|
2003-2010 |
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 |
2007-2009
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 |
14 APR 37 Hattieville, Arkansas
03 APR 09 Oppelo, Arkansas |
2000-2009
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 |
1999-2000 |
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 |
08 JUN 28 Magnolia, Arkansas
01 JAN 09 Morrilton, Arkansas
|
1992-1994
2001-2006 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 |
2004-2007
*MVPA Member |
Richard
Otho Wade, a core member of the Arkansas MV Travelers, passed
away March
14, 2007, just five days after his 67th 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. |