Bobby Leon McAlister Sr.

Bobby Leon McAlister Sr., 79, of Centerton passed away March 31, 2014, in Bentonville, Ark. Bob was born in Leedy, Okla., to Richard and Lola McAlister on May 10, 1934. He attended school in Norman, Okla., and would move with his family between Oklahoma and Arkansas for his father’s work. He married Mary Jane Whitlock in 1954 and she remained the love of his life for 43 years until her passing in 1996. He worked as a maintenance supervisor and mechanic until he retired in 1996. Bob enjoyed spending time with his friends as an auctioneer/picker, fishing and solving all of the world’s problems on the CB radio. Bob is preceded in death by his lovely wife, Mary; his parents, Richard and Lola McAlister; one sister, Wanda King. Bob is survived by his sister, Betty Shipman; daughter, Rita (Lavon) Ackley of Albany, Ga.; son, Bobby (Rosa) McAlister of Chula Vista, Calif.; three grandchildren, Maryann (Stephen) Rocklin, Eron Ackley Lee and Jessica McAlister; and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers-in-law, Russell Whitlock of Selma, Calif., Buddy Whitlock of Gravette, Ark.; and one sister-in-law, Margie Smith of Springfield, Ore.The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville for their support in his final days. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in the memory of Bob McAlister to the Circle of Life Hospice, 1201 NE Legacy Village, Bentonville, AR 72712. Visitation will be held at the stateroom in Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers on April 3, 2014, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Funeral service will be held at Rollins Funeral Home Chapel on April 4, 2014, at 1 p.m. with Chaplain Jo Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, near Gravette, west of Hiwasse. Condolences may be left in Bob’s online guest book at www.rollinsfuneral.com. Arrangements are under the care of Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers.