Wilford George Horton

Wilford G. Horton, 90, died quietly in his sleep Tuesday, March 12, 2013. He was born in Clay County on March 21, 1922, to George and Ida Ethridge Horton. He grew up in Rector and the Knob community. He graduated from Lafe High School and attended Arkansas State College in Jonesboro before he volunteered to service in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He fought in Okinawa, Iwo Jima, and throughout the South Pacific. He and his wife, Deloes, of 60 years, raised two sons and two daughters in Paragould. Wilford became a car salesman at the age of 15. He operated a gas and oil distribution business on Pruett Street and West Kingshighway. He built and operated the Paragould Motel before becoming the owner of Horton Chevrolet-Oldsmobile in 1955. He semi-retired after selling the car business in 1978. He raised black angus cattle and had a rice and soybean farm. He established Meadowlake, a place where fishing could be enjoyed—especially by his grandkids. He loved the great outdoors, especially Spring River. He loved the land and was proud of being an Arkansan. Wilford was an active member of the First United Methodist Church. He supported the Rock Springs Methodist Church in the Knob community. He was a member of the Rotary club and served as its president. He was very involved in politics, and he supported Democratic candidates in the county, state and national levels. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Deloes Horton; brothers, Wayne, Rual, Marley and Harold Horton; sister, Stella Alsey. Survivors include sons and daughter-in-law, Floyd Douglas (Suanne) Horton of Tulsa, OK and Terry Wilford Horton of North Little Rock, AR; daughters and son-in-law, Carolyn Beth Newman of Paragould and Anne Marie (James) Ausburn of Searcy, AR. 6 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. The family wishes to thank the Belle Meade nursing staff and the Dierksen Hospice staff for their loving care of our father. We owe tremendous gratitude to our sister Carolyn for taking care of him the last six years of his life. Her work with him allowed him to have a better quality of life than he would have had. Visitation will be Monday from 6:00-8:00 at Heath Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Paragould with Rev. Don Nolley officiating. Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery. Flowers are welcomed or a memorial may be sent to Paragould First United Methodist Church or the church or charity of your choice or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY 10001. Sign the online register at www.heathfuneralhome.com