William Clark "W.C." Forthman

William Clark "W.C." Forthman, 74, of Gurdon died Saturday, September 25, 2010 following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was born October 18, 1935 at his family home on Kansas Road outside Gurdon to the late Amos and Edith Forthman. Mr. Forthman was a retired business owner that ran logging, bulldozing, trucking and heavy equipment sales businesses in the Gurdon area since the age of nineteen. In 1958, he was injured in a logging accident that left his legs partially paralyzed. Though predicted never to walk again, he taught himself to walk well enough that most others never knew of his injuries. Besides his business accomplishments, Mr. Forthman was most proud of the work he did to help grow Gurdon. Some of this work included setting a steeple on South Fork Baptist Church, hauling gravel to build the local grocery store, clearing land for the expansion of the old middle school, dirt work for the Cabe baseball/softball complex on Highway 67, and numerous other land clearing and building projects. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Maymie Sue Wells; and numerous dear friends and family. Survivors include his daughter, Leigh Ann Meador of Hope; son, Todd Forthman of Benton; three sisters, Betty Gattis of Gurdon, Zenell Manning of White Hall, and Jonell Bond of Russellville; two grandchildren, Trevor Forthman and Lauren Forthman of Benton; sister-in-law, Winnie Clark; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Forthman was a member of the South Fork Baptist Church. Family comments: Our father was one of the most capable and hardworking men we have ever known. But more importantly, he was kind, tenderhearted, and left us a legacy of standing up for what is right. The long hours he worked were always for the benefit of those he loved. Although Alzheimer's eventually stole his skills and memories, it did not take away our pride in who he was and our gratitude for all he gave us. Today we rejoice in the assurance that he is hard at work again in heaven; building things, telling his light-hearted jokes and doing things for others. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Alzheimer Association. Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, September 29, 2010 in the chapel of Pharr Funeral Home of Gurdon. Funeral service will be held 2 p.m., Thursday, September 30, 2010 at the Pharr Funeral Home chapel on Main Street in Gurdon. Interment will follow at South Fork Cemetery under the direction of Pharr Funeral Home of Gurdon. The online guestbook is available at www.pharrfuneralhomes.com.