Robert Lewis Vail

Robert L. Vail, 88, of Houston, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, January 29, 2014. He was born May 16, 1925 in Effingham County, Illinois, a son of Walter and Jessie Vail. He was a Navy WWII Veteran, a service station operator and wrecker service operator for Texaco and Shell Oil Companies in Effingham, Illinois. He came to Arkansas and was a self-employed farmer with registered Hereford cattle and raised chickens for Tyson for 41 years. He was a current member of the Agri Co-op Board, past President and current member of the Perry County Farm Bureau Board, member of the Amvets and member of the Perry County Cattleman's Association. He loved his church and church family of Houston Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Jessie Vail of Altamont, Illinois and brothers, Donald (Mary Ann) Vail of Beecher City, Illinois and Richard "Dickie" Vail of Effingham, Illinois. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Eda Belle Vail of Houston, Arkansas; one daughter, Debra (Lum) Wilhite of Conway, Arkansas; one son, James (Cheryl) Vail of Scotland, Arkansas; two grandchildren, Heath (Amy) Wilhite of Little Rock, Arkansas and Jessie Vail of Conway, Arkansas; one great-grandchild, Mary Katelyn Wilhite of Little Rock, Arkansas; seven brothers and sisters, Virginia (Dale) Holland of Effingham, Illinois, Ralph (Florence) Vail of Effingham, Illinois, Kenneth (Pauline) Vail of Altamont, Illinois, Mary (Bob) Kienietz of Clifton, Colorado, Eva (Art) Davidson of Altamont, Illinois, Gary (Jane) Vail of Green Valley, Arizona, Lois (Jim) Smith of O'Fallon, Illinois, and Darrell Vail of Altamont, Illinois; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 3, at the Houston Baptist Church with Bro. Jeremy Williams officiating. Burial will be at May Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. The family will receive friends 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday, at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Brett Johnson, Conrad Gunther, Jack Weaver, Russell Weaver, Brody Starks and Herchel Story. Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Vail, Heath Wilhite and Russell Burk. Memorial contributions may be made to the Houston Baptist Church, Houston, Arkansas.

Robert Lewis Vail

May 16, 1925 - January 29, 2014