Arkansas, Marriage Certificates, 1917-1972
Gwen Long
Gwen Long, 78, of Bella Vista, Ark., died March 26, 2005, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark. She was born March 31, 1926, in Tuttle, Okla., to Horace Potter and Wilmuth Potter.
She attended Tuttle High School, Oklahoma University and Abilene Christian University. She was a professional artist and art teacher and was known in the Southwest United States as a painter and colorist. She taught students of all ages -- most notably children -- for 50 years. She was active in many art workshops with famous painters and had won local, regional and national awards.
In 2003 she founded an outdoor painting group known as the Plein Air Painters of the Ozarks, which now has 35 members. She was also a champion golfer in Stillwater, Okla., Topeka, Kan., and Bella Vista. She was an active member of the Bella Vista Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Richard.
Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Harold E. Long; a son and daughter-in-law, Scott Long and Judith Long of Pinellas Park, Fla; two daughters and a son-in-law, Teri Alford of Topeka, Kan., and Judi Talmage and Doug Talmage of Olathe, Kan.; three brothers, Joe Potter of Tuttle, Okla., Dan Potter of Vinita, Okla., and Don Potter of Walters, Okla.; two sisters, Pat Coale of Blanchard, Okla., and Jimmie Bennett of Turpin, Okla.; five grandchildren, Ami Beshay, Katie Alford, Weston Alford, Sara Talmage and Spencer Talmage; and a great-grandchild, Mia Beshay.
Graveside services and committal were March 31 at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark.
Arrangements were by Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bella Vista Church of Christ Youth Fund, 8889 W. McNelly Road, Bentonville, AR 72712.
Byron "By" McLaird
Byron "By" McLaird, 74, of Bella Vista, Ark., died March 27, 2005, at a local health-care facility. He was born March 21, 1931, in Atlanta to George McLaird and Mabel Matthews McLaird.
He attended the University of Nebraska and the University of Denver. He served with the 79th Fighter/Bomber Squadron of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict. He retired after 34 years of service with United Airlines.
He moved to Bentonville, Ark., in 1992 from Seattle. He was employed by the Bentonville School System, where he was a bus driver. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America and was a member of the Christian Center in Bentonville.
He petitioned the National Headquarters of the Civil Air Patrol to receive a charter for a cadet program in northwest Arkansas. The charter was issued in September 1993. He served as its squadron commander until properly relieved in October 1996. During his tenure, the squadron was recognized as the Squadron of Distinction for the Southwest Region in 1994, and was also selected the Outstanding Arkansas Civil Air Patrol Squadron by the Air Force Association.
He was preceded in death by a brother.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Barbara "Bobbie" McLaird; a son and daughter-in-law, Davin McLaird and Shannon McLaird of Franklin, Tenn.; and two grandchildren, Michaela McLaird and Dallas McLaird, both of Franklin.
Funeral services were held March 31 at the Christian Center in Bentonville, Ark., with Pastor Emeritus Norman L. Schulz, Pastor Dan Sanford and Pastor Paul Pluimer.
Burial with military honors was at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark.
Memorials may be made in McLaird's honor to the Civil Air Patrol, 115th Composite Squadron, in care of Lt. Col. Max Gore, Squadron Commander, 900 S.W. Edinburgh Ave., Bentonville AR 72712.
Clinton Cooper
Clinton Cooper of Bella Vista, Ark., died March 28, 2005, at Northwest Medical Center of Benton County in Bentonville, Ark.
Arrangements are pending with Callison-Lough Funeral Service of Bentonville.
Frances Price Nichols
Frances Price Nichols, 76, of Bentonville, Ark., died March 29, 2005, at a local nursing home. She was born Nov. 8, 1928, in Pineville, Mo., to Cecil Price and Josephine Wardlaw Price .
She had lived in northwest Arkansas since 1954, moving from Pineville.
She was employed with CTS in Bentonville and retired after 14 years of service.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, "Bob" Nichols, in 1999; and a brother, Joseph W. Price .
A memorial service was held April 2 at the United Methodist Church in Pineville, Mo., with the Rev. Tom Anderson.
Burial was at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery near Hiwasse, Ark.
Cremation arrangements were by Stockdale Funeral Services of Rogers, Ark.
Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, 1740 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.
Billy 'Jack' Taylor
Billy "Jack" Taylor, 80, of Bella Vista, Ark., died March 30, 2005, at Beverly Health Care in Anderson, Mo. He was born Jan. 30, 1925, in Tonkawa, Okla., to Othel Emmet Taylor and Grace Irene Johnson Taylor.
He attended school in El Dorado, Kan. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army overseas in the 161st Infantry in New Zealand and New Caledonia. He was wounded at the Invasion of Luzon, Philippines, and received the Purple Heart. He was in the Reserves for 20 years and retired as a master sergeant. He returned to Ponca City, Okla., where his parents had moved, and finished high school.
He married Virginia L. Baum on Dec. 22, 1950, in Arkansas City, Kan. He began working for Conoco in 1946 and retired in 1984 after 37 1/2 years as a technician in the research and development department.
He was preceded in death by an infant grandson.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia Taylor; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Clarke Taylor and Janis Taylor of Jenks, Okla., and Scott Taylor of Bella Vista; a daughter and son-in-law, Leigh Sills and Jim Sills of Broken Arrow, Okla.; a brother and sister-in-law, Carroll Taylor and Joyce Taylor of Wichita, Kan.; 13 grandchildren; and many nephews and cousins.
A family memorial service will be held at a later date at the home on Brucker Drive.
Arrangements were by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Village House Adult Day Care, P.O. Box 3027, Bella Vista AR 72715; or to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness, 2501 S.W. 14th Street, Bentonville, AR 72712.
Delores L. Held Weimar
Delores L. Held Weimar, 73, of Bella Vista, Ark., died March 26, 2005, at Northwest Medical Center of Benton County in Bentonville, Ark. She was born Aug. 5, 1931, in Merrill, Iowa, to Elmer Karley and Dorothy Cooper Karley.
She moved to Bella Vista with her husband, Wayne "Bud" Held, in 1973 from Hinton, Iowa, where the couple farmed. She was a member of the United Lutheran Church of Bella Vista. She was a bowler with the Kegler League in Bella Vista and enjoyed camping and fishing.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne "Bud" Held, in 1986.
Survivors include two sons, David Held and Jimmy Held; three brothers, Elmer Karley, Larry Karley and La Mont Karley; and four sisters, Doris Barrett, Marilyn Semple, Konnie Wolff and Barbara Olson.
Funeral services were March 30 at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Chapel.
Burial was at the Bentonville Cemetery.
Arrangements were by Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Bentonville.
