Edwin Lawrence Wilson

Edwin Lawrence Wilson, 94, of Fayetteville passed away Thursday January 6, 2011 in Fayetteville. He was born December 18, 1916, in Hazel Valley, Arkansas, to Ernest and Bertha Anderson Wilson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Hazel Jarnagan Wilson; two sons, Eddie and Cypert Wilson; a brother, Reuel Wilson; a daughter-in-law, Virgie Wood Wilson; three sons-in-law, Ronnie Arnold, John Bunch Jr. and Ron Gray. Edwin was a long-time resident of Hazel Valley where he attended Hazel Valley School, owned and operated a dairy/poultry farm and managed a sawmill. He was a member of Hazel Valley Community Church where he served as the song director for many years and sang at numerous funerals as a special ministry. He served as a board member for Hazel Valley and Elkins Public Schools, Farm Service Cooperative, Nickell and Hazel Valley Cemetery Associations and was a past member of the Elkins Lions Club. He will be remembered most for his love and loyalty to his family and friends; for being the family historian and for his community and civic involvement. Mr. Wilson is survived by two sons, Curtis "C.H." Wilson (Kathy) of Greenland; Stanley Wilson (Nancy) of Fayetteville; two daughters, Regenia Arnold of Fayetteville and Aleta Gray of Benton; four brothers, Doyle Wilson of Auburn, Alabama; Kirby Wilson (Virginia) of Mountain View, California; Dailey Wilson of Woodinville, Washington; Ralph Wilson (Mary Ellen) of Rockwall, Texas; three sisters, Marie Skelton (Quentin) of Springdale; Imogene Stout and Loretta Garrison (Joe) of Fayetteville; eight grandchildren, Kevin (Whitney), Nancy (Roy Don), Robyn (Bo), Joel, Sheli, Dara (Bree), Jennifer (Jeff) and Aaron (Danielle); 10 great-grandchildren, Lanae, Caleb, John Dolton, Anna Grace, Ty, Reese, Bryce, Chase, Broden & Ethan. Visitation will be 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday at Beard's Funeral Chapel. Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m., Monday January 10, 2011 at Harris Baptist Church in Elkins under the direction of Beard's Funeral Chapel with Paul Dennis officiating. Interment will follow at the Nickell Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Nickell Memorial Cemetery Association, c/o Richard Nickell, 1912 Harris Drive, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701; or to WRMC/Hospice, 34 W. Colt Square, Suite 1, Fayetteville, AR 72703. The family extends a special thanks to Mr. Wilson's caregivers, Verna Shackelford, Tonya Guthrie, Wanda Briggs, Lisa Taylor and Shannon Cooper and WRMC Hospice Homecare. Online condolences: www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.