Cecil Willard Childers

Cecil Willard Childers, 91, of Searcy died Sunday, March 9, 2014. He was born December 14, 1922 in Sidon, Arkansas to the late W.L. and Minnie Rice Childers. He married Loyce Evelyn Crook from Pangburn, Arkansas on November 3, 1944. He was a member of the Westside Church of Christ. After serving in the United States Navy in WW II, Cecil joined his brother-in-law, John Sowell, in business in 1946 at Sowell's Furniture, which is still in operation in downtown Searcy. During his 45 years at Sowell's, Cecil became a "favorite" salesman and a very good friend to many of his customers. Even today, he often is recognized as the man who sold them all of their furniture. For many years, Cecil was an active member in the Searcy Rotary Club. Some of Cecil's favorite activities were hunting and fishing, having coffee with friends and traveling with Loyce. He was a true gentleman who always put others first. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Loyce Childers; his nieces and nephew: Betty Lynn Mote and Nancy Hatfield of Searcy; Paula Sue Mardis of Columbia, Tenn.; Nina Crook of Little Rock, Ark.; Mickey Crook of Jackson, Tenn.; and Arlene Morris of Montgomery, Ala. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Velma, and infant twin daughters. Visitation will be 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 and the service will follow at 2 p.m. at Roller Daniel Funeral Home in Searcy. Burial will be at Henderson Cemetery in Pangburn, Ark. Because of Cecil's active involvement in civic affairs for the betterment of Searcy, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Main Street Searcy Program, P.O. 1127, Searcy, Ark. 72145. For online guestbook, www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.