Master Sergeant (retired) William F. Son Sr.

William Franklin Son, Sr. passed away Monday, May 17th, 2010 at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale at the age of 83. He was born November 19, 1926 in Lepanto, AR to the late William Nathaniel Son and the late Maudie Marie Cook Son. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jerry W. Son.

William grew up as the oldest of ten children on his family's farm. At the age of fifteen, William enlisted in the Navy. With an honorable discharge from the Navy after the end of World War II, William promptly re-enlisted into the Army where he faithfully served his country for 32 years. William is a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, as well as the Vietnam War. Throughout his career, he was stationed around the globe in various places including Germany, Alaska, the Philippines, Hawaii, Korea, and Vietnam.

Upon honorably retiring from the military, William moved his young family to Plainview where he began a 30 year career in logging. Known by all as Sarge, he could often be seen unwinding after a brutal day in the woods with a cup of coffee in his hand, visiting with good friends. Sarge retired from logging at the age of 78 after Alzheimer's began to take its toll.

He is survived by his wife, Xuan Thi Truong Son of Plainview. They have four children: William Franklin Son, Jr. of Springdale; Michael David Son and wife Dawn Nicole Perkins Son of Bella Vista; Lien Linda Marie Smith and husband Bobby Lynn Smith of Ola; and Carol Maxine Havener and husband Tony Lee Havener of Plainview. Their grandchildren are Thi-Marie Aileen Smith of Danville, Jacob Lynn Smith of Ola, Darren Patrick Gillespie of Plainview, Cheyenne Marie Havener of Plainview, and William Paxton Son of Springdale. Their great grandchild is Kaiden Parker Smith of Danville. He is also survived by his brothers: James Eugene Son of Manilla, Robert "Bob" Son of Newark, Clarence Vernon Son of Apple Valley, CA, Lowry "Larry" Son of Searcy, Thomas "Tommy" Son of Concord, Donald Son of Concord, and Johnny Son of Grand Rapids, MI and one sister, Ruby N. Cockrell of Lepanto as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services with full military honors by the Ft. Sill Honor Guard were held at 10:00am on Friday, May 21, 2010 at Rest Haven Memorial Garden Cemetery in Russellville. Visitation was from 10:00am to 3:30pm on Thursday, May 20th.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made at Alzheimer's Association (2300 SE 28th St, Bentonville, AR 72712) or Circle of Life Hospice (901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72762).

Arrangements by Cornwell Funeral Home of Danville.