Willis Hugh Edmiston

Willis graduated from the University of Arkansas in May of 1960 with a degree in General Business and Transportation. That fall he joined the Army and attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. In January of 1961 he was sent to Camp TUTO, Greenland, a major U.S. Army-operated research camp at the foot of the Greenland ice cap, where he served as a company clerk. In January of 1962 he returned stateside for supervisory training and development at Fort Ord, California. In the fall of 1963, after discharge from the Army, he returned to Arkansas to start his 33-year career in the treasury management department of Arkansas Best Corporation. While working at Arkansas Best, he earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas.

Willis retired from Arkansas Best in May of 1997, where he quickly adjusted to a life devoted to walking, reading, and annoying his wife, Sara. He was soon encouraged to explore volunteer opportunities outside the home and found a post in the Chaplain’s office at Sparks hospital, where ironically one of his duties was to answer the phone – a task he never embraced at home. Willis was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal church, and spent many years volunteering in pastoral care, attending various Fort Smith Citizens Academies, watching car shows and walking up and down Massard Road listening to the radio on his enormous headphones. He was 6'7" tall, and yes, he did play basketball (mainly in high school, a little in college).

Willis was preceded in death by his mother and father; his wife of 54 years, Sara (Hiner) Edmiston; a son, Mark Edmiston; his sister, Nadine Norton; and his brother, Dennis Edmiston.

Willis is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Andrew Flint of El Cerrito, California; sister-in-law, Janice Edmiston of Prairie Grove; brother-in-law, Jack Norton of Cane Hill, and five nephews, Jay and Kevin Norton and Jeff, Steve and Marty Edmiston.

A private family committal service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church.

A celebration of both Willis and Sara’s lives will be held in August near what would have been their 56th wedding anniversary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, 215 N. Sixth St., Fort Smith, AR 72901.