William Hartsel Cayce

William Hartsel Cayce, 89, of Thornton passed away Monday, December 28, 2015. He was born July 13, 1926, in Fordyce. He was ordained in 1961 and was the long-time pastor of Cane Creek Primitive Baptist Church. Through the years he had served additional churches in Mena and Rolla. Hartsel owned and operated Cayce Publishing Company in Thornton. He was the editor of The Primitive Baptist international newspaper for over 40 years. He and his wife owned and operated Cayce's Antiques for 45 years. He served as City Treasurer of Thornton for 40 years. He was a member of the Thornton Volunteer Fire Department for 40 years. For many years, he assisted his wife with Cayce's Charities. Hartsel was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Pacific. Peace was declared just before he was to land on Okinawa. Hartsel attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the Nashville Printing Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. He is preceded in death by his parents, Claudis Hopkins Cayce and Lollie Mae Lawler Cayce; his brothers Benjamin Fleming Cayce and Claudis Hopkins Cayce Jr.; and his sisters Florida Cayce Wishard and Ilene Cayce. Hartsel is survived by his wife of 68 years Jo Ann James Cayce of Thornton; four children, Kandy Cayce of Sherwood, Joannie Cayce of Thornton, Gaye Lynn Cayce Buttrey (Frank) of Newnan, Georgia, and Paul Stephen Cayce (Tona) of Thornton; four grandchildren, Cayce Aaron Buttrey of Atlanta, Georgia, Daniel Cayce (Candice) of Fordyce, Audrey Ann Culp (Cody), and Whitney Susan Quillen (Christopher); four great-grandchildren, Cole, Tate and Drew Culp of Ivan and Nora Quillen of Clarksville, Tennessee. Visitation will be Tuesday 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Benton Funeral Home with Elder James Isaacs officiating. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.