BENTON COUNTY — Eddie Lee Bone
Eddie Lee Bone, 73, of Pea Ridge, died Saturday, April 17, at his home. Hewas born Oct. 2, 1936, in Pea Ridge, to Duly and Beatrice Bone.
He graduated from Pea RidgeHigh School as valedictorian and married Vera Sammon. They moved to California in 1955 to find work.
His first job was making pallets at a pallet plant in Long Beach, Calif., this job lasted two weeks. He had a better offer at a door company in Inglewood, Calif., where he stayed for about three months. He then went to work for Standard Oil Company where he worked until 1963. During this time he met his longtime friend Jack Hibbs and this also started his racing career. Jack and Eddie pooled their money and built a 1930 Ford Drag Car.
In 1963, Eddie, Vera and Jack moved back to Pea Ridge and opened J&E Automotive. Eddie did the mechanical work on cars and Jack did the body work.
In 1965 a fire destroyed the shop and Eddie went to work for Crane Valve in Rogers where he retired after 34 years. During this time frame, Eddie and his brother Johnny drag raced together.
In the beginning, they both had cars but Eddie couldn’t drive the cars as fast as Johnny so Eddie decided that he needed to turn the wrenches and Johnny needed to do the driving. In 1972 they decided to start stock car racing at Beaver Lake Speedway in Rogers. They won several championships in several states. Eddie was building the racing engines and Johnny was driving. It didn’t take long for them to go from drag racing to racing on oval tracks, building engines and cars that were competitive wherever they raced.
In his last days, Eddie said there was one last thing he needed to finish.
He had been working on an engine for Tony Bone and Johnny Bone Jr. for their race car they were going to race in about 60 days.
Eddie was discharged from the hospital on Monday, April 12, and said he just needed a few days to finish the engines. With the help of Tom Tripodi and Brently Bone, on Friday, April 16, at about 5 p.m. he had completed the project. He said he felt that it was going to be one of the best engines he had ever built. He said on Saturday afternoon that he had completed what he needed to get done.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera, and his parents, all of Pea Ridge.
Survivors include his loving companion and friend, Ruth Latham and daughters; two sons, Darrell Bone and Veldia Rideout of Rocky Comfort, Mo., and Rick Bone of Pea Ridge;
one daughter, Debbra Evans and husband, Roger, of Seligman, Mo.; one brother, Johnny Bone Sr. and wife, Joyce, of Pea Ridge; four grandchildren: Brently Bone and Haley Bone, both of Pea Ridge, Tonya Evans of Bentonville and Jayme Evans of Seligman; four great-grandchildren; nephews, Tony Bone and Johnny Bone Jr. and wife, Kendy, all of Pea Ridge; and numerous cousins and friends.
Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, at the funeral home.
Funeral service is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 21, at Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge with pastor Ralph Walker officiating.
Burial will be at Buttram Chapel Cemetery in Pea Ridge.
Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net.
Gladys June Cover
Gladys June Cover, 82, died Tuesday, April 20. She was born June 12, 1927, to James Russell and Gladys Edwards Keith in Hiwasse.
Visitation is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church, Pea Ridge.
Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Friday at FirstBaptist Church, Pea Ridge.
Arrangements are by Sisco Funeral Home, Pea Ridge.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church building fund.
Johnny Elbert Mills
Johnny Elbert Mills, 64, of Garfield died Monday, April 19, at his home. He was born May 1, 1945, in Garfield to Herbert and Clorene Reddick Mills.
Arrangements pending by Benton County Funeral Home in Rogers.
Online condolences can be made at www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.
Arthur William See
Arthur “Artie” William See, 58, of Garfield, died Tuesday, April 13, at MercyMedical Center in Rogers. He was born Aug. 15, 1951, in Rockville Centre, N.Y., to the David James See and Lillian Mirfield-See.
He grew up on Long Island, N.Y., and loved spending time sailing on the ocean. He later moved his family to Garfield, where they made their home.
He worked for Daisy Manufacturing for many years. After leaving Daisy he worked for Tyson Long-Haul Garage in Springdale,where he was a diesel mechanic for the past 15 years.
He enjoyed spending time on his farm with his children working their cattle, painting, being outdoors and loved spending time with his grandkids and beloved black Lab “Prince.”
Artie was a beloved and devoted husband, father, papa and friend, and will be truly missed.
Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Jerrie, of the home; two sons, A.J.
See and wife, Misty, of Garfield, and Thomas See and wife, Kristin, of Rogers; one daughter, Lillian See of Rogers; one brother, David Ronald See and wife, Diane, of Garfield; one sister, Marjorie Warner and partner, Paul Jurjens, of Walton, N.Y.; and five grandchildren: Tyler, Sarah, Maybre, Mason and Ashlyn.
Visitation was Friday, April 16, at Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers.
Services were held at Rollins Funeral Home Saturday, April 17, with minister Bobby Vaughn officiating.
Burial service followed at Liberty Cemetery in Garfield.
Pallbearers were Tim Starner, Scott Starner, Jim Ford, Henry Ruiz, Brad Isbell, David Dumond, Shay Spencer and Fred Spencer.
Condolences may be offered at www.rollinsfuneral.com.
On the Record, Pages 3 on 04/21/2010