Louie Willard " Son" Scoggins

Louie Willard “Son” Scoggins, 90, of the Grand Prairie Community north of Charleston, began his heavenly journey just after 7:00 pm on Thursday, March 4, 2010 from the home he and Gail built with their own hands. Willard was born October 28, 1919 in Clarksville, Arkansas, to Howard R. and Ella Mae (Wiseman) Scoggins as the youngest of 9 children. He was preceded in death by his parents, 5 sisters and 3 brothers.

Willard was the ultimate hard worker. Through the years he worked in construction, drove delivery for Arcade Furniture, drove a Camp Chaffee bus during WWII and worked many 20-hour days as a driver for Arkhola Ready Mix Company for 17 years. After “retiring” in 1961 he became a full-time cattle farmer, owned and operated a logging and sawmill business, as well as a dirt and shale delivery business, still working those very long days. No one who asked for help was ever turned away – whether their vehicle was stuck in the muddy country roads surrounding their home or they needed help with a building project or butchering hogs or chickens or someone to take them to the doctor. When most people retire their lives get easier but Willard worked until he could work no more as the Alzheimer’s disease stopped him last summer. Even then he tried to watch over his loving wife Gail and anyone else who came to visit. He had given his life to Christ at the age of 14 and lived his life by the direction he received from studying the Holy Bible. He was a very special man and his word was his bond. Never was any man cheated but was given as he had received-a full measure, shaken, pressed down and overflowing to the best of his ability.

Willard is survived by the beautiful lady who shared 67 years 8 months as his wife, Elsie Gail (Rogers) Scoggins; 1 daughter, Janice and husband Shelby Essman of Charleston; 3 sons, Larry and wife Paula, of Springdale; Roger and wife Angela of Charleston; Randy and wife Betty of Charleston; 3 granddaughters-Andrea Battenfield of Charleston; Dr. Melissa Hunter and husband Sam of Bellefonte, PA; Sarah Moore of Fort Smith; 10 grandsons-Lorne Scoggins and wife Ritchie of Lowell; Landen Scoggins and wife Brenda of Lavaca; Jody Scoggins of Springdale, Ross Scoggins and wife Misti of Fayetteville; Jarrod Essman and wife Heather of Paris; Brad Scoggins of Charleston; Adam Essman of Charleston; Ryan Scoggins of Fort Smith, Jeremy Connelly and wife Amy of Ozark; and Tommy Connelly of Charleston; along with 8 great-granddaughters – Kaylee Essman, Holly Chambliss, Kassandra Scoggins, MaKenzie Scoggins, Ericka Scoggins, Jenna Moore, Kayelee Connelly and Whitley Connelly; 6 great-grandsons – Dalton Brier Chambliss, Trinity Moore, Elijah Scoggins, Mason Scoggins, Jacob Scoggins, and Hayden Essman; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Services will be held Monday, March 8, 2010 under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith at 2:00pm in Edwards Chapel with burial at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith. Bro. Lorne Scoggins, Bro. Landen Scoggins and Bro. Bob Gilstrap will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers; Granddaughters and Great Grandchildren will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. The family will visit with family and friends at Edwards on Sunday afternoon, March 7, 2010 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

Memorials may be made to the Adult Development Center, PO Box 908, Rogers, AR 72757 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 320 North Greenwood Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72901.

To place online tributes visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.