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Submitted: 4/13/09 • Approved: 9/24/20 • Last Updated: 9/27/20 • R178751-G0-S3
April 11, 1916 Norfork, Arkansas
August 4, 1944 Norfork Dam Site
Husband of Lela Helm Whitehead
Son of Finis & Sarah Bell Cunningham Lackey Whitehead
(This small gravestone marked the gravesite for Willard Whitehead for a number of years. It was later moved to the foot of the grave when a double tombstone was placed at the head of the grave.)
The Baxter Bulletin
August 11, 1944
PAUL MARTIN AND WILLARD WHITEHEAD
KILLED AT NORFORK DAM FRIDAY
Electrical shock caused the deaths of Paul Martin, 17, and Willard Whitehead, 28, Friday while working at the Norfork dam. In moving the frame of a core drill rig in the groutlag gallery it was shifted over a 110 volt wire used for lighting and the insulation was broken, charging the drill rig and electrocuting the workers. The accident occurred between 7:30 and 8:00 Friday evening and it is believed that the shock passed through the bodies for from 20 to 30 minutes. Artificial respiration applied for several hours was not successful.
Funeral services for Paul Martin were held Sunday afternoon at the Methodist church here, conducted by the Rev. J.J. Clark. He would have been a member of the senior class of Mt. Home High School next year. He is survived by his father, Mac Martin, one brother, Mac Odell, with the armed forces somewhere in France and two sisters, Mrs. Joe Bill Hackler of Mt. Home and Mrs. Gulledge Curry of Oak Ridge, TN.
Funeral services fro Willard Whitehead were held Sunday at the Holiness Church in Norfork. He is survived by his wife, five children, Charles Alton, James Robert, Kenneth, Dortha May, and Carol; his mother, Mrs. Finis Whitehead; three brothers, Alex, Troy and Bill; three sisters, Mrs. Janie Beard, Mrs. Jule Perry, and Mrs. Lurain Piviett.
He was born at Norfork and lived there most of his life.
(From the files of Max Parnell.)
Contributed on 4/13/09 by maxparnell
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Record #: 178751