Arkansas, Marriage Certificates, 1917-1972
Obituaries from the year 2012
John Ault
John Ault, 92, of Bella Vista, Arkansas died Thursday, January 19 in Bella Vista. He was born November 8, 1919 in Alliance, Ohio to Fay Bair and Ray Ault.
During World War II, John worked in the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab where his team developed the Proximity Fuse that was instrumental in winning the war. After WWII, he earned his B.S. degree in Landscape Architecture at Ohio State and his M.S. in City Planning at the University of Illinois. Over his career with the United Nations and the United States State Department, he and Betty, his beloved wife of 65 years, lived in Libya, Liberia, and Alaska and traveled extensively worldwide.
During his retirement, he and Betty created unique, beautiful gardens enjoyed by many local garden clubs. He lived in the Northwest Arkansas area since 1971 after moving from Alaska.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
John is survived by his wife, Betty Mertz Ault; his niece, Tracie McConnell and her husband, Tim, of South Carolina; and great nieces, Aubrey and Sydney.
There is no visitation planned.
Graveside service will be Tuesday, January 24 at Bentonville Cemetery with Chaplain Jo Jones officiating.
Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Lillian Melton
Lillian Melton, 87, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas died Thursday, January 19. She was born June 18, 1924 in Kansas.
She is survived by two sons, Gary Heathman and his wife, Linda, of Siloam Springs and John Heathman; one daughter, Nancy Wisley, brother, 10 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
James Williams
James Lee Williams of Eagle Rock, Missouri died Thursday, January 19 at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, Arkansas. He was born August 24, 1941 in Carthage, Missouri.
He was a truck driver for George’s.
He is survived by his mother of Carthage, Missouri, three daughters, two brothers, four grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.
Jimmy Griffith
Jimmy G. Griffith, 68, of Centerton, Arkansas died Sunday, January 15 at his home. He was born in Harrisburg, Arkansas to Patty Appling and Walter E. Griffith.
He was an avid Razorback fan. Jimmy loved to sing Pickin-Grining. He sang for residence at the Bentonville Manor for many years. Jimmy worked with the children's ministry at First Baptist Church of Centerton from 1995 until 2006. He had lived in the Northwest Arkansas area since 1992 after moving from West Memphis, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Thelma James; two brothers, Clyde Griffith and Malcolm Griffith; and one sister, Micki Marshall.
Jimmy is survived by his wife, Bobbie Griffith of the home, whom he married February 18, 1983; two daughters, Mona McCool and Kimberly Briner both of West Memphis, Arkansas; two grandchildren; three brothers, Raymond E. Griffith and his wife, Glenda, of Harrisburg, Arkansas, Aubrey A. Griffith and his wife, Betty, of Harrisburg, Arkansas, and Donald Griffith and his wife, Kathy, of West Memphis, Arkansas; two sisters, Jean Burns of West Memphis, Arkansas and Geneva Hopkins and her husband, Bud, of Mesa, Arizona.
Visitation will be Wednesday, January 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Centerton.
Funeral service will be Wednesday, January 18 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Centerton with Pastor Stuart Bell officiating. Interment will follow at Coffelt Cemetery near Vaughn, Arkansas.
Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church of Centerton, “The Children’s Ministry,” PO Box 220, Centerton, Arkansas 72719.
Lloyd Bridges
Lloyd William Bridges, 69, of Bentonville, Arkansas died Friday, January 13 at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers, Arkansas. He was born December 26, 1942 in San Jose, California to Ina Beard and Herman Bridges.
He was honorably discharged from the United States Navy after serving during the Vietnam War.
He loved spending quality time with his family. He enjoyed wood-working, remodeling, drawing, tending to his rose gardens, hunting, and fishing.
Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Billy Ritchie, one daughter, Laura Bridges, and one brother, Gary Bridges.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Rose Schaefer Bridges; two sons, Brian Ritchie and Brandon Bridges; two daughters, Rebecca Bridges and Lindsey Bridges; one brother, Paul Bridges and his wife, Jody; one sister, Carol Hammack and her husband, Ken, all of Bella Vista, Arkansas; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; in-laws; nieces; nephews; and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, January 17, at 1:00 p.m. at National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Operation Renewal, 3053 E. Setter St., Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 or call (479) 935-3986.
Mary Stefano
Mary Stefano, 96, of Westfield, Massachusetts died Wednesday, January 11 at Circle of Life Hospice House in Bentonville, Arkansas.
She is survived by one granddaughter, Donna Kang and her husband, John, of Bentonville, one great-grandson, and one sister.
No local services are planned.
B. William Fisher
B. William Fisher, 61, of Pea Ridge, Arkansas died Tuesday, January 10 at Circle of Life Hospice House in Bentonville, Arkansas. He was born at 1:03 a.m. on January 1, 1951 to Evelyn and Wilbur Fisher in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. He was the first baby born in the Harrisburg area on New Year’s Day.
He attended Carson Long Military Academy and enjoyed returning there for reunions. He loved gardening, collecting books, reading, and traveling. He had lived in the Northwest Arkansas area for over 6 years after moving from Texas. He was preceded in death by his father and sister.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa Fisher of Pea Ridge; mother, Evelyn Fisher of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; nephew, Greg; niece, Jennifer; and two great-nephews.
Graveside service will be at Park Lawn Cemetery in Evansville, Indiana at a later date.
