Willie Henry (Bill) Speer

Willie Henry (Bill) Speer, age 96, of Benton, passed away Saturday May 2, 2015. He was born on Feb. 23, 1919 in Vimy Ridge, Ark. Bill retired after 35 years with Reynolds Metals Co. as a pipefitter. He was a US Army WWII Veteran and a member of Spring Creek Baptist Church. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Stella Barth Speer; his wives, Lois Speer and Fern Speer, the mother of his children; brothers, Elsa, Curtis, Everett, Joe, James, Robert, and Ernie; great-grandson, Todd Wise. Survivors: son, William Speer, Jr.; daughters and sons-in-law: Paula and Al Wise, Bryant; Ruthie and Kuni Kikawa, Reno, Nev.; Pansy and Hugh Robinson, New York; stepdaughter, Carolyn Brannon, Hot Springs; stepson, John Purett, Benton; brothers: Lloyd Speer, Nimrod, Tom Speer, Vimy Ridge; sister, Stella Gentry, Vimy Ridge; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday at Ashby's. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday at Ashby Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Pine Crest Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Spring Creek Baptist Church Children's Chapel. Online guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.