Obituaries

Burgess Marvin Williams

Photo of Burgess Marvin Williams
Burgess Marvin Williams, age 94 of Warren, Arkansas joined his many friends and family into the presence of the Lord on Thursday March 28, at Chapel Woods Nursing Center in Warren, AR. Burgess was born on June 16, 1918 in Cleveland County Arkansas to Marvin Alexander and Anna Belle Carraway Williams. He married Ophelia Wagnon, the love of his life on June 1, 1941. She preceded him in death on January 22, 2013. He was truly a man from the "Greatest Generation". Burgess was a veteran of WWII serving with remarkable distinction in the U.S. Army with the 236th Combat Engineer Battalion in China, Burma, and India. Burgess spent his life in the Bradley, Cleveland, and Lincoln County area with exception of the 3 years in the military. He established his first business in Warren in 1938 just after graduating from New Edinburg High School. After returning from military service he opened Burgess Sales and Service, a family operated business in Warren since 1947. He loved his family and worked hard to provide for them. By example he taught his children and grand children the work ethics and dedication necessary to succeed in the work force and in life. Burgess operated a cattle farm in Lincoln County and for 56 years operated a mail contracting business in Southeast Arkansas from the US Postal Service. He was awarded the Eagle Spirit Award from the US Postal Service in recognition of his many years of exemplary service. He served as a member, director, and officer for the National Star Route Mail Carriers Association for 45 years. He was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church in Warren, a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and song director. For over 50 years he sang in the Warren Quartet with his wife, brother-in-law, Bruff Hudson and friend Alvin Doggett. The quartet had a daily radio show in the 1950's that aired at noon on KWRF-AM in Warren. Burgess served on the Lincoln County Quorum Court, a director and officer of Lincoln County Farm Bureau, and a member of the Arkansas Cattleman's Association. He was a fan of the Warren Lumberjack football team for over half a century. He was a very positive man and his inspiration will live with his family for many generations to come. Burgess is preceded in death by his wife Ophelia, a son Robert Williams, daughter Patsy Williams Trammell and grandson Will Alpe. He is also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Lathan Williams and Gene Williams and two sisters Verna Mae Hudson and Opal Jean Williams. Burgess is survived by a daughter Gloria Williams Alpe and husband Dick of Bella Vista, Ark. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Mike Williams and wife Sandra of Warren; Ladonna Williams Hammons and husband Joe of Warren; Robin Alpe Wright and husband Dan of Bentonville; and Kristel Williams Ashcraft and husband Craig of Rye; seven great-grandchildren Chris, Christina, Jaclyn, Austin, Drew, Emily, and Katie and three great-great-grandchildren; many cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family members including his daughter in law Pat Williams, the Nathan Moore family and the community of Cornerville where he and Ophelia lived for 40 years. Funeral services 10 a.m. Monday April 1, at Frazer's Chapel. Burial in Oakland Cemetery by Frazer's Funeral Home. Visitation 6-8 p.m. Sunday March 31, at Frazer's. Memorials preferred Evangelistic Ministries; 114 Bradley 23; Warren, Ark., Arkansas Children's Hospital, 1 Children's Way; Little Rock, Ark. 72202-3591, or the charity of your choice. Online guest register www.frazerfuneralhome.com.

Published March 30, 2013

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