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William “Bill” Donnor, age 68, of Benton, passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton. Bill was born on June 10, 1957, in Little Rock.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Lowell Marie “Sally” Donnor; his wife, Vinita “Vinnie” Donnor; and his sister, Kay Phillips.
Bill is survived by his son, McKinley Donnor of Benton, AR; his daughter, Keeley Donnor Selby of Benton, AR; and his son-in-law, Chase Selby. He is also survived by three brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law: Greg and Mary Chism, Tanya and Marc Shelnut, and Dennis Chism; along with his nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Bill also leaves behind countless friends and loved ones.
Bill graduated from Bauxite High School in 1975 and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from UALR. He began his law enforcement career with the Saline County Sheriff’s Department, where he served from 1979 to 1985. He then joined Union Pacific Railroad as a Senior Special Agent, dedicating 32 years of service before retiring on June 29, 2017.
Since 2007, Bill faithfully served as a Councilman for the City of Benton. During his tenure, he was Chairman of the Personnel Committee and Vice Chair of Animal Services. He was also a devoted member of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church.
Bill had a deep love for people and a lifelong commitment to public safety. He was an avid supporter of the Benton Police and Fire Departments and took great pride in serving and representing his community. He especially loved helping others and making a positive difference wherever he could.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Ashby Funeral Home, with funeral services to follow at 2:00 p.m. Following the service, burial at Fairplay Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Arkansas Fraternal Order of Police or the Benton Fraternal Order of Police.
Melvin Jarel Amox, 84, of Benton, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2026. Born July 11, 1941, in Lawton, Oklahoma, to MJ Amox and Vola Vera Amox, he lived a life defined by service — to his country, his church, his community, and most especially his family.
Jarel retired as a Captain in the United States Army after 21 years of service in units across Arkansas and Texas. His steady leadership and disciplined character marked his military career. Following retirement from the Army, he entered the field of sales, a profession perfectly suited to a man who never met a stranger. Conversations came easily to Jarel — and they were rarely short.
For 39 years, he was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church in Benton, Arkansas, where he served not from the front of the room but from the foundation — as a steadfast presence in the bass section of the choir. His voice anchored hymns just as his life anchored those around him.
Scouting was another lifelong passion. For over 40 years, Jarel lived the values of the Boy Scouts of America, first as a youth and later as a devoted leader alongside his son, Mark. He served in numerous roles throughout his Scouting journey, always prepared for the next campout, the next lesson, or the next adventure.
He was also a dedicated member of Congo Lodge in Benton, Arkansas, where he found fraternity, service, and brotherhood.
Above all, he was a protector and provider for his family. He loved fiercely and was ever present. He was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Mary Jo, whom after a whirlwind six-week courtship he married on January 27, 1972, in El Dorado, Arkansas. In recent years, as Mary Jo battled Alzheimer’s disease, Jarel faithfully and tenderly served as her primary caregiver — a quiet, daily expression of the vows he made more than five decades ago.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughters, Wendy and Leigh Ann; his granddaughter, Allie Burns; and his sister, Glenda Amox Ferrara.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jo Joiner Amox; their children, Mark Amox (Carrie) of Gainesville, Florida, and Melanie Page (Jamie) of Benton, Arkansas; and his son, Scott Amox (Amanda) of Mansfield, Texas.
He is also survived by his grandchildren: Madeleine, Luke, Anne Marie, Bella, Laney, Ashton, Carley, Micah (Kendal), and Jeremy.
He is further survived by his brother, Earl Amox (Connie) of Plano, Texas.
Jarel’s legacy is one of steadfast devotion — to faith, family, and service. He built memories in his workshop, mentored Scouts into manhood, lifted hymns into sanctuary rafters, and showed up — consistently, reliably, fiercely — for the people he loved.
And if you listen closely in the days ahead, you may still hear one of his stories begin to unfold — long, winding, and somewhere along the way, featuring a fish just a little bigger than expected.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026 at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton, Arkansas.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at First United Methodist Church in Benton, Arkansas. Burial service will follow at Pinecrest Cemetery in Alexander, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Arkansas Alzheimer’s Association.
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Virginia Brazil went to be with her Lord on February 14, 2026. She was born March 28, 1932 to Jeff and Lola Chambers om Lonoke, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her darling son, Jeff D. Burton and her brothers, William T. Chambers and Charles Chambers.
Survivors include one dear son, David L. Burton (Becky); a dear daughter, Linda D. Tarvin, four grandsons, one granddaughter, five great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. Virginia Brazil was a member of Abundant Life Assembly of God in Bryant, Arkansas.
She moved to Columbia, Missouri in 1986 as sales manager to Memorial Park Cemetery and Funeral Home. She was also with Nelsons Funeral Home as sales manager until she moved back to Benton, Arkansas in 2007.
She was a charter member to Praise Assembly of God in Columbia, Missouri where she taught Sunday School most of her adult life. She was also a member of Calvary Assembly of God before changing to Abundant Life where she had many loving friends at all churches.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026 at 10:00am in the chapel of Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home in Benton with Bro. Al officiating.
Entombment will follow the service at 12:00PM at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander.
Visitation will be on Monday morning, February 23, 2026 from 9:00am until service time at the funeral home.
Olan Von King, affectionately know as Big O, 79, of Benton, Arkansas passed away February 17, 2026 at Baptist Hospital after an 8 month battle with AML surrounded by his family and friends as he ran into the arms of Jesus and heard the words ”well done my good and faithful servant.”
Olan was born October 16, 1946, to the late Leamon and Hettie Kelley King in Malvern, Arkansas. He graduated from Bryant , Arkansas in 1964 where he played football and ran track. He attended UALR. He enlisted and served in the Army National Guard as a medic from 9/5/1965 to 9/7/1971. He worked for Reynolds underground mines before attending UALR and then began his employment of 41 years with Alcoa. He retired in 2010 as a Water Treatment Technician. He and his twin brother Rolan (also his best friend) retired at the same time and enjoyed attending cow sales, riding four wheelers, playing golf, sitting in their shops and just enjoying the great outdoors and playing games.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Billy King, Bobby King, Waymon King, Norman King and a sister Bonita Schmidt.
Olan is survived by his wife of 54 years Kathy Tedford King; his son Kevin and wife Amanda of Rogers, a daughter Kristi Ward of Benton, a grandson Bryce King and granddaughter Chloe King of Rogers, a twin brother Rolan King and wife Donna of Benton, a sister Donna Whitfield of New Mexico and a host of nieces and nephews and cousins.
He accepted Jesus as his Savior as a teenager and he would tell you it was the best decision he ever made. He was an active member of First Baptist Church in Benton where he served for years as the Director of the ushers and greeters. You could find him at the front door every Sunday morning welcoming people to FBC. It was one of his favorite things to do and he did it well. Numerous people have said how they looked forward to seeing him very Sunday at the door. He also served as a member of the church security team. Olan was always the first to volunteer when something needed to be done. One of the life changing moments in his life was when David James asked him to be on his team when FBC did FAITH, an outreach program where he learned how to better share the gospel. God gave Olan a boldness as he went into homes of strangers and shared what it meant to be saved, to have the assurance of an eternity in heaven. This time in Olan’s life changed him from being an introvert to talking to anyone!
He loved life and like all the King boys, he was born with a competitive nature especially with Rolan. He loved softball and played church league ball for many years and made life long friends along the way. He might not remember what he did yesterday but just ask about a softball game from ages ago and he could tell you the score and recount all the plays! He loved playing cards, pinochle being his favorite game! He spent many late nights playing pinochle tournaments with good friends! He loved going on cruises, especially enjoying the ice cream machine on the Carnival ships. He loved traveling and was especially glad that he got to go to Israel! His grandkids were his pride and joy! Being Papa O was the best job he ever had! He spent many hours riding Bryce and Chloe on the four wheeler or his tractor.
He was kind and made friends easily. He was so loved and never realized the impact he had on others. Through his illness, he was blessed to have a strong support system of family and friends. Everyday he counted his blessings. His family was blessed to call him husband, dad, Papa O and friend!
The family would like to to say a special thanks to Baptist Hospital 10 A nurses and staff for their compassion care in Olan’s many hospital stays and to Carti and Dr. Sasapu and his staff and to the Baptist ICU Unit 4 staff who guided us through those last hours with such compassion. We are grateful for each of you.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Carti Cancer Center in Little Rock.
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