Arkansas, Marriage Certificates, 1917-1972
Wayne Wallis Simpson
Wayne Wallis Simpson, age 77, passed away on November 23, 2005, with his family at his side. Wayne was the only child of the late Ora A. and Lucy Wallis Simpson and was born May 11, 1928, in Cave Springs. He was a lifelong farmer and rancher in the Cave Springs area. He attended the Evening Star Elementary school as a youth and graduated from Bentonville High School (now Old High Elementary) in 1946. Wayne joined the United States Air Force during Korean War, serving as an aircraft engineer mechanical school instructor. While on leave from the military, he married his high school sweetheart E. Patricia Coberly on December 23, 1950. He was honorably discharged and returned to operate the family farm in 1951. Wayne was a member of the Lakeview Baptist Church in Cave Springs.
His career as a full-time farmer included dairy, beef, hogs, broiler production, row crop, small grains, hay, and custom baling. During his 40 years of broiler production, Wayne was considered an innovator in the industry, building some of the first large capacity automated broiler houses in the area. He was a top broiler producer for Ralston Purina, Farm Service Coop, Gold-Kist, and Georges, Inc. and was nationally recognized for his achievements in several industry publications. Wayne served on the Gold Kist Poultry Advisory Board in 1979; was elected and served several terms on the Benton County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Committee, and served on the board of directors of the Farmers Cooperative of Cave Springs and Springdale. Wayne was one of the first in the region to adopt new farm technologies, including mower-conditioners, round balers, cab tractors, and truck-mounted hay moving equipment.
Wayne was a member of the Bentonville School Board for 10 years and served as President of the Board during the 1974 construction of a new Bentonville High School (now Lincoln Junior High School). He remained a strong supporter of education and was proud of the fact that all of his children and adult grandchildren have completed university degrees.
Wayne was a fifty-four year member of the Cave Springs American Legion Post 274, and served as Post Adjutant for the last 40 years. He was a 32 nd degree Mason and a fifty-year member of the Western Arkansas Scottish Rite. His membership was with the Hazel Valley Masonic Lodge in Vaughn, Arkansas. Wayne was a member and past president of the Cave Springs Fire Association Board. Wayne proudly served on the Board of Directors of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Rogers from 1976 to present and considered his fellow board members to be both colleagues and close friends.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 55 years, Pat; four children; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild, as follows:
Son, Steven Wayne and wife Cheria of Cave Springs, grandson, Levi, his wife April, and great-grandson, Judah of Bloomington, Indiana, and grandson Jared of Bentonville.
Daughter, Pamela Mortensen and husband Jeff of Bentonville, grandsons, Jonathan and Jeremy of the home.
Son, James and wife Linda of Cave Springs, grandchildren Amanda, Rebecca and Tyler of the home.
Son, Jon and wife Melissa of Bentonville, granddaughter Deianira, and infant grandson Elijah of the home.
Wayne will be remembered as a dedicated and loving husband, father, and grandfather, leaving behind a legacy of honesty, integrity, and strong work ethics. His farm, business, and practical wisdom were recognized and sought frequently by his peers. His remarkable courage, strength and resolve influenced others throughout his life, and were tried and proven during his last days.
Visitation will be at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home at 3706 South Walton Boulevard on Sunday, November 27, 2005, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Family will greet friends from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Memorial services will be at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home on Monday, November 28, 2005, at 2:00 PM followed by graveside services with military honors at Benton County Memorial Park in Rogers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wayne W. Simpson Memorial Scholarship Fund at any Arvest Bank.
Shirley Arlene Hansen
Shirley Arlene Hansen, 70, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Sunday, March 19, 2006, at Northwest Medical Center of Benton County in Bentonville, Ark. She was born July 8, 1935, in Maywood, Ill., to James Born and Harriet Peterson Born. She was raised and educated in Illinois. She completed nursing training at Grant Hospital in Chicago, Ill. She married
Herbert Hansen on Dec. 14, 1957, in Chicago. She was employed at Grant Hospital and later at the Sage Medical Group in Chicago. The couple moved to Bella Vista in 1997. She was an amateur Egyptologist and a collector of elephants.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Hansen, on Sept. 21, 2002.
Survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law, David Hansen and Paula Hansen, Kenneth J. Hansen, and Michael Hansen and SonMi Hansen, all of Chicago, Ill.; and four grandchildren, Corey, Jason, David and Sarah.
No services are planned.
Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, 6350 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309; or to the Cure Autism Now Foundation, 5455 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2250, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
