CORNETT ABNER, GENEVA - Crawford County, Arkansas | GENEVA CORNETT ABNER - Arkansas Gravestone Photos

Geneva CORNETT ABNER

Gracelawn Cemetery
Crawford County,
Arkansas

William Cleveland "Bill" Abner
June 21, 1914 - August 13, 2010

Geneva Cornett Abner
September 3, 1918 - May 28, 1984

*Obituary
William C. "Bill" Abner, 96 of Van Buren, Arkansas died Friday, August 13, 2010 in a local residence.

He was raised on Baldwin Mountain in Madison County, he attended school at St. Paul. At about the age of 12, he went to work hauling logs with a wagon and team of horses. With the onset of the Great Depression, he went to work for the Civilian Conservation Corps, where he worked on many projects, notably Devil's Den and Camp Robinson in Little Rock.

He moved to southern California in 1936, where he lived for 26 years, although he often tried to move back to Arkansas. He was able to do so in 1962, settling in Uniontown with his wife, Geneva. He retired from Proto Tool in 1975 following an industrial accident.

This left him with more time to pursue his interests, local politics - a quorum court member and active campaigner for others - Freemasonry, a member of the Uniontown Masonic Lodge #395- active in local lodge proceedings, often officiating at Mason funerals - and a passion for his "Personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" - as he seemed unable to have a conversation of any length without asking about the spiritual life of others and testifying of God's work in his own life.
Later in life, he was active in the area senior lodges and well into his late 80s drove extensively throughout the area to check on "old people," many younger but in poorer health than he.

He will be remembered by many as a fine Christian man, an animated storyteller, good friend and doting family man, with a legacy of good will that extends far beyond even his 96 years of life.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Geneva Cornett Abner. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Lewise Miles Abner. He was also predeceased by five sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Nora Martindale Abner of the home; two daughters, Willeta Keeter & LaVeda Fraley both of Van Buren; two sisters, Frankie Booth & Jean Harrison both of Ontario, California; seven grandchildren, Bill Keeter of Branson, MO, Jeannine Wiley & Brad Keeter both of Van Buren, Kellie Middleton of Ft. Smith, Mike Fraley of Van Buren, Nick Keeter of Rudy, and Kim Gilbert of West Fork; fifteen great grandchildren and twelve great great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held August 16, 2010 at 10:00 Ocker Memorial Chapel with Pastor Don Brewer officiating.
Burial was at Gracelawn Cemetery in Van Buren.

Photo courtesy of Francs Allen Titsworth

Contributed on 6/16/22 by Billsully060
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Record #: 1436817

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Additional CORNETT ABNER Surnames in GRACELAWN Cemetery

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Submitted: 6/16/22 • Approved: 7/3/22 • Last Updated: 7/6/22 • R1436817-G1436815-S3

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