Willard James Alexander Sr., 85, of Malvern, AR and formerly of Alma, AR, passed away July 4, 2012, under the care of the V.A. Hospice in Little Rock . He was born August 10, 1926 in Cass City, MI to Nicholas and Alice Kretchmer Alexander. He served 2 years in the U.S. Navy with the Seabees and Navy Seals and then served 28 years in the U.S. Army. During his military career he served in WWII, the Korean Conflict, and Viet Nam.
Upon his military retirement he worked for the Arkansas Employment Security Division, was a Juvenile Probation Officer for Crawford County/Van Buren, AR; was a Veterans Service Officer for the D.A.V.; and served as Director of Personnel for the Intergovernmental Committee of European Migration-Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith, AR.
After he retired in 1973 he resided in Alma for 28 years and then moved to Malvern in 2001.
Our father was a God fearing Christian man, a living legend, and a true patriot. Going out with a bang, he passed on July 4, 2012.
GOD BLESS AMERICA
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, JoAnn Gann Alexander of Malvern, AR, four daughters, Suzanne Makowski and her husband Elmer, of Ruth, MI; Julie Brumley and her husband Terry, of Hernando, MS; Janine Alexander Bilyeu of Riviera Beach, FL; and Joyce Alexander Bach and her husband Curtis, of Malvern, AR; ten grandchildren, Paul, James, Ron, and Melissa Makowski, Alexander, Elijah, and Alicia Brumley, Amanda Alexander, Chase and Autumn Bilyeu. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Cody Hutchinson, Matthew and Grace Makowski, Mia Fererra, and Kaiya and Alexis Brumley.
Graveside service with Full Military Honors will be 1:00 P.M. Monday, July 9, 2012 at Fort Smith National Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Visitation will be Sunday, July 8, 2012, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Edwards Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
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