Francis William Oliver, 84, a resident of Rogers, Arkansas, passed away September 28, 2009. He was born June 24, 1925 in Inglewood, California, the son of Robert and Lucy (Smith) Oliver. He was an active member of the Southside Church of Christ participating in the Jolly 60's group. In various locations during his life, he served as a Bible school teacher, deacon and elder for the church.
He enlisted in the Army-Air Corp while a senior at Monroe High School. He served as a cadet at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was a navigator on B52 Aircraft at San Marcos Army Airfield and was honorably discharged June 15, 1945.
He enjoyed fishing with the "Dirty Dozen Bass Club" sharing his enthusiasm with his friends and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Marion Thomas-Oliver; children, Sharron Gardner and husband Scott of Owasso, Oklahoma, Douglas Oliver and wife Jan of Woodbury, New Jersey, Diana Anderson and husband Alfred of Clarksville, Tennessee; step-sons, Denzil Thomas and wife Judy of La Plato, Missouri, Brian Thomas and wife Chris of Long Beach, Mississippi; three sisters, Betty Chesebro of Boiseman, Wisconsin, Roberta Bunderson and husband Kurt of Janesville, Wisconsin; Lucy Ann Huber and husband Charley of Monroe, WI; five grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 56 years, Delores (Day) Oliver, one granddaughter, and one grandson.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 1, 2009 at Southside Church of Christ. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday at Southside Church of Christ officiated by Jackie Chesnutt. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Benton County Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to the Green Valley Bible Camp, c/o Southside Church of Christ, 919 S. Dixieland, Rogers, AR 72758.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Callison-Lough Funeral Home in downtown Rogers.
He enlisted in the Army-Air Corp while a senior at Monroe High School. He served as a cadet at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was a navigator on B52 Aircraft at San Marcos Army Airfield and was honorably discharged June 15, 1945.
He enjoyed fishing with the "Dirty Dozen Bass Club" sharing his enthusiasm with his friends and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Marion Thomas-Oliver; children, Sharron Gardner and husband Scott of Owasso, Oklahoma, Douglas Oliver and wife Jan of Woodbury, New Jersey, Diana Anderson and husband Alfred of Clarksville, Tennessee; step-sons, Denzil Thomas and wife Judy of La Plato, Missouri, Brian Thomas and wife Chris of Long Beach, Mississippi; three sisters, Betty Chesebro of Boiseman, Wisconsin, Roberta Bunderson and husband Kurt of Janesville, Wisconsin; Lucy Ann Huber and husband Charley of Monroe, WI; five grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 56 years, Delores (Day) Oliver, one granddaughter, and one grandson.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 1, 2009 at Southside Church of Christ. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday at Southside Church of Christ officiated by Jackie Chesnutt. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Benton County Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to the Green Valley Bible Camp, c/o Southside Church of Christ, 919 S. Dixieland, Rogers, AR 72758.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Callison-Lough Funeral Home in downtown Rogers.