Willie Gene McFarland

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Willie Gene McFarland, 75, of Leachville, died Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born at 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 a 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.; a sister and brother-in-law, Teina and Bob Osgood of Batesville, Ark. Willie also leaves 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Graveside funeral service was 4 p.m. Friday in the Leachville Cemetery with Rev. Mark Wheeler officiating. Burial was underthe direction of Howard Funeral Service of Leachville.

The family received friends from 2 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Guest register is www.howardfuneralservice.com.