Joe Wesley Sandifer

CSM (Retired) Joe Wesley Sandifer 88, of Searcy, Ark. joined his Heavenly Father on May 18, 2016. He was born on September 11, 1927 in Tylertown, Miss. to parents, James Wesley Sandifer and Ida Cole (Charboneau) Sandifer. He was sixth of twelve children and is preceded in death by his parents and 10 siblings. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Teddie Smith Sandifer of Searcy, brother, Charles Sandifer (Delores) of Ala., daughters, Joanna Spiliotis (Pete), Gayla Jackson both of North Carolina. Joe loved his wife's family as his own and is survived by daughters, Shelia Jennings (Bart) of Searcy, Dixie Bryant (Rick) of Missouri, Nancy Duren (Randy) of Benton, and son, Doug Whitener (Anda) of Heber Springs. He was a loving grandfather to 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Joe first served in the US Navy during the closing days of WWII. He then served in the United States Army as a Paratrooper for twenty years and earned the Master Parachutist Badge. The last seven years of his career were served in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th Special Forces, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious service against enemy ground forces and the Combat Infantry Badge. He served three tours in Vietnam and retired in 1968 as Command Sergeant Major. After retirement he served as a Foreign Officer in Vietnam for 6 1/2 years. After returning to the States, Joe graduated from Phillips College in Gulfport, Miss. with a degree in Accounting. He was the previous owner of the H&R Block in Heber Springs, Ark. While Joe had many highlights in his life, he was extremely proud of walking across the United States, from coast to coast, in an effort to raise money for the Special Forces Museum, Fort Bragg, N.C. His ultimate goal and accomplishment was to serve the Lord and be a good Christian. He was an active member of First Baptist Church in Searcy. Services for Joe will be held on Saturday, May 21 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Searcy, Ark. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service. A military burial will follow in the Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock, Ark. Powell Funeral Home of Searcy is responsible for arrangements. In lieu of flowers, Joe ask that donations be made to Arkansas Hospice or First Baptist Church building fund. www.powellfuneralhome.net.