Hurshel M. Wilks, 86, of the Joan Community near Arkadelphia died Friday Nov. 13, 2009 in Arkadelphia. He was born Sept. 27, 1923 in Bingan, Ark., the son of the late Allen M. and Lillie May Duncan Wilks. Hurshel was a U.S. Army World War II veteran, a Methodist a mechanic and retired from the Clark County Road Department after more than 40 years of service. He was a former volunteer for the East Clark County Fire Department and active with the Arkadelphia V.F.W. Post 7516 for many years.
Survivors include his wife of more than 58 years, Betty Thompson Wilks; one daughter, Barbara Golden and husband Roy of Conway; three grandchildren, Babette (Steven) Neilsen of Cape Coral, Fla.; Brigitte Golden and Brandon Golden, both of Conway; two great-grandchildren, Brittany and Brady Golden, both of Conway, and one brother, R.P. Watkins of Perryville.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Greg Latham officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from noon Tuesday until service time at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to East Clark County Fire Department or to Clark County Humane Society.