Willie Doyle Vance
Willie was born 28 October 1926 as the second child (and second son) to Roxie Jane (Caldwell) and Reyburn Peay Vance in Owensville, Saline County, Arkansas. He was born in the same bed that his mother and his brother Gerald were born.
He had a speech impediment as a young child, and every time you get around someone who knew him as a youngster they will remark about when they would get him to say "sorghum molasses." Your imagination can take care of that...
His father, Reyburn, was a school teacher; and Willie went to the schools in which Reyburn taught. Even though he was the teacher's son, principal's son, or superintendent's son, he was not given a easy way to go. Reyburn taught with an iron (but friendly) hand, and it is said Willie got a "whippin'" his last day of school for playing hookey. He graduated from Paron High School in 6 April 1945 and went into the Army soon after that.
He was drafted into the Army 17 April 1945 at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, and was transferred to the Army Air Corps after basic training. He spent quite a bit of his military career in the Philippines.
After being discharged from the service, he went back home in Saline County. He soon met Jimmie Wilson, and they married 5 November 1949. Willie was working for Saline County Motors as a salesman and then as sales manager.
The couple had two children: Patti (that's me) and a few years later John. I was definitely a "daddy's girl." He worked at Saline County Motors until they went out of business and then went to work for Thomas Auto Company in Benton in about 1960 as a salesman. He received several sales awards including top auto salesmen in the Memphis District in 1961 (along with fellow salesman John Steed). When he retired from Thomas Auto, he was general manager.
After retiring, Willie and Jimmie decided to build a home on the property where he grew up. They lived until his death on the property that a Caldwell descendant has lived since before 1850.
He became quite active in community affairs including serving as treasurer of the Owensville Cemetery Board. His community activities decreased in his last few years due to bad health, but you could always stop by their home and see his winning smile until just a few days before his death.
He was not without fault. He could go on and on about something he knew little or nothing about. He would tell stories about things he heard on the news which had little or no connection with what really was told. (I have learned that is true of many people, however.) He was the original Archie Bunker. I have sometimes thought that television show might have been written about him. He was a staunch supporter of Dale Alford, a segregationist, for governor of Arkansas. However, as he got older he began to understand that some of his ways were not correct. He voted for Barack Obama and would have voted for him again had he lived. He began to understand that people should be accepted as they were. He was a little on the "lazy" side (a trait I have, sadly, inherited). He did not mind at all if Momma was working on several different projects to ask her to get him a cup of coffee. When Momma was about to have a breast biopsy, and I knew that she did everything for Daddy, I asked him, "Daddy, do you know where your socks are?" He had no idea. He did not know where his underwear was kept, either. She put his clothes out for him, along with his cup of coffee, every single morning. My granddaughter had a joke that went this way: Daddy: "Jimmie, get me a cup of coffee." Momma: "As soon as I finish baking a pie, mowing the yard, ironing your shirt, getting the coffee..." (You get the picture.) However, if a child or grandchild needed something, he was there both physically and emotionally. After the birth of my first daughter in San Diego, I decided I wanted my momma to come to California for a few days and help me after we got home. It was my daddy that I called. Momma had never been on an airplane; but, after getting off the telephone with me (collect call I should add), he got her a ticket and informed her she was flying to San Diego the next day.
Daddy died on the farm in which he was born 15 July 2010 with his daughter, son, and wife by his side.
Daddy's favorite song was Fascination
Lyrics:
Fascination turned to love
It was fascination, I know
And it might have ended right there at
the start
Just a passing glance, just a brief romance
And I might
have gone on my way empty-hearted
It was fascination, I know
Seeing you alone with the moonlight above
Then I touched your hand and next moment I kissed you
Fascination turned
to love
REPEAT SECOND VERSE
It was fascination
(Daddy told me this song reminded him of Momma.)
Military Service
From My Country Called, by Arnold A. Wright: Willie Doyle Vance,
son of Raburn [Reyburn] and Roxie Caldwell Vance, was born in Owensville
on October 28, 1926. Vance was educated in the Owensville and Paron schools.
I went into the Army on April 17, 1945, and took my basic training at
Camp Livingston, Louisiana. After basic training, I was transferred to the
Army Air Corps and sent to Kelly Field, Texas. We left the states from Camp
Stoneman, California, and landed in Tokyo, Japan. We stayed in Tokyo for
a couple of months, then went to Nickel's Field in the Philippines. I was
sent back to the states and discharged at Camp Beale, California, in April,
1947. Returning to Benton, I worked for Chrysler Company for 43 years, retiring
in 1990. Jimmie Wilson and I were married on November 5, 1949, and we had
two children, Patti and John. Today, I am living back home in Owensville.
Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, Honorable Discharge: He was enlisted into active service 17 April 1945 at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. Private First class Willie D. Vance was discharged 20 December 1946 at Camp Beale, California. At the time of his separated he was 6'1/2" tall, weighed 195 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair.
His Separation Qualification Record showed he served two months as a private in infantry basic training; 10 months as PFC Clerk-Typist; 2 months as PFC Airplane and Engine Mechanic. Summary of Military Occupations: ...duties of clerk, for a period of 10 months at Nichols Field, Philippine Islands with the Pacific Air Service Command. Worked as chief clerk in operations office. Supervised work of 3 enlisted men, 4 Filipino men, and 7 Filipino women. Was responsible for actions and out put of said people. Office force kept track of all flight making out forms on flight time, pilots time, gas consumption, enlisted mens time, and all other expenditures of flights. Was acting first sergeant in office.
Obituary
Willie Doyle Vance, 83, died at his home in Owensville on July 15, 2010.
Born October 28, 1926, in Owensville to Reyburn Peay and Roxie Jane Caldwell Vance, he was a member of Owensville Baptist Church. He attended Owensville and Paron Schools where he graduated in 1945. After high school graduation, he entered into the United States Army and was transferred to the Army Air Corps where he served in Japan and the Philippines. After being discharged from the service, he returned to Saline County and began working for Saline County Motors in Benton where he served as sales manager. He then worked for Thomas Auto Co. in Benton where he served as general manager and worked there until retirement in 1990. After retirement, he returned to his family's farm raising livestock.
He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Gerald Vance; and granddaughter Denise Denison.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Jimmie Wilson Vance; daughter, Patti Vance Hays, and husband, Dave, of Hot Springs; son, John Vance, and wife, Dorcas, of Owensville; grandchildren Lauri Denison McAdory and husband, Scott, of Benton and Justin Vance of Conway; great-grandchildren Olivia "Libby" Rosenthal and Drew McAdory; niece, Brenda Vance Richardson, and her husband, Larry; and sister-in-law, Jacqueline Dyer Vance.
Pallbearers will be Justin Vance, Scott McAdory, Larry Richardson, Andy Weise, Jerry Carden, and Gerald Wilson. Honorary pallbearers will be Leonard Cathcart, Raymond Thomas, Lyndolf Ziegler, and Sonny Smith.
Visitation will be 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, July 18, at Ashby Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 19, at the Ashby Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Owensville Cemetery with the Rev. Gary Gipson and Rusty Keltner officiating.
Memorials may be made to Owensville Cemetery, 18410 Hwy 5, Lonsdale, AR 72087 or Saline Memorial Hospice House, 23157 I-30, Bryant, AR 72202.
Family comments: His love and generosity to his family was unsurpassed. Special thanks to the staff of Saline Memorial Hospice, especially Troy. (from Ashby Funeral Home online obituary)
Memories Read During his Funeral
My Memories
As a little girl on Circle Drive in Benton, I sat on the porch steps waiting for Daddy to come home. (Back then kids could sit on the front porch steps.) He would get almost to the house and would stop the car, I would run over to the car, he put me in his lap and I drove home - probably about 20 feet or so. I felt so grown up.
Also, in that same house, Daddy drank sugar and milk in his coffee. In the morning he saved the last sip for me. To this day, every time I drink coffee (still with milk and sugar), I think of that morning coffee with my daddy.
When I was about 16 years old, Daddy began having me help him pay bills on Sunday evening. He told me what to pay, and I typed out the checks. During this process, I was learning the value of the dollar and learning why I could not have everything under the sun. This teaching has helped prepare me for all aspects of my life.
Memories from Sam Nalley, youngest brother of his wife, Jimmie
I recall Willie's giving me his basketball-letter jacket when I needed a coat during the seventh grade. You paid me exorbitant sums, for the time, to mow your grass. Willie guided me in the selection and purchase of my first and our first three automobiles. These expressions of your love will not go unrewarded in God's scheme of things.