Willie Gene McFarland

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Mr. Willie Gene McFarland, 75, of Leachville, died Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Leachville, he was the son of the late Alex and Marie Ferguson McFarland and was raised in Flint, Mich., where he attended Bendle High School. Willie served in the U.S. Army and lived many years in Texas before returning to Leachville in 1974. He was an auto mechanic and later retired from Printers and Publishers, Inc., of Leachville.

He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Mitzi McFarland of Burleson, Texas;

Four daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Meikel Boydston of North Richland Hills, Texas, Pam and Randy Thornton of Burleson, Texas, Laurie and Ben Hale of Alvarado, Texas, and Paula and Dale Applegate of Mansfield, Texas;

Three brothers, Carol McFarland of Leachville, Ronnie McFarland and wife, Phyllis, of Leachville, and Glendal McFarland of Tacoma, Wash;

One sister and brother-in-law, Teina and Bob Osgood of Batesville; and

Nineteen grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Graveside funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday in the Leachville Cemetery with the Rev. Mark Wheeler officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Howard Funeral Service of Leachville. The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. Guests may register at www.HowardFuneralService.com