Henry Arthur "Art" Sellers, son of Wilford T. and Pauline R. (Abbott) Sellers, entered this life April 21, 1942 in Pulaski, Virginia and left this life December 21, 2024 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was raised in Lewistown, Pennsylvania and graduated in the class of 1960 and joined the Pennsylvania National Guard September 1959. He joined the United States Army on September 20, 1960 and served in the 5th MSL BN 56 ATRY Regiment and was honorably discharged as a Private First Class on June 28, 1963. Art then joined the civilian Air Force and was based in Newark, Ohio. He worked on the Titan II Minuteman 111 III and ICBM guidance systems.
He was married to Rosemary Louise Riesbeck of Newark, Ohio on July 17, 1965 at St. Leonard Catholic Church.
In 1973, Art transferred to Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He worked at the Central Internal Guidance Test facility in the Sled Test Division as a telemetry and guidance technician. In 1978, Art transferred to the Federal Aviation Administration in El Paso, Texas as a radar technician. After completing training, he was asked where he would like to be stationed and he responded, "anywhere there is green grass and trees".
In July 1979, Art moved his family to Van Buren, Arkansas and worked on the radar systems for Northwest Arkansas. Art also served as union representative for the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization. In time he was promoted to the Airway Facility Manager for Northwest Arkansas. He retired January 2, 2001, and Fort Smith recognized him with a Henry Sellers Day February 9, 2001 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. After retirement he worked as a consultant for several independent contractors for the Federal Aviation Administration as a radar technician from 2001-2011.
Art was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Alamogordo, New Mexico #3355 and Fort Smith, Arkansas #996 and served as past Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator for Fort Smith, and as a state representative for many years. Art attended St. Michael Catholic Church in Van Buren, Arkansas.
Art was an avid Amatur Radio Operator since he was a teenager and had the call letters KN3AON, W5GPE, W5OUS and later W3TZ. Art will be deeply missed by many. Art liked a good argument and stood firm on his values and morals.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, and a nephew.
He leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Rosemary; and his daughters Karen (Heath) Williams of Van Buren and Stephanie of Northwest Arkansas. He was "poppa" to Harlan (Jenna) Broyles, Austin Broyles, Kyle Williams, and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 27, 2024 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Van Buren with cremation to follow. Committal will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at the Fort Smith National Cemetery, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.
Pallbearers will be Harlan Broyles, Austin Broyles, Heath Williams, Kyle Williams, Jess Spence, and Marty Schmidt.
Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 26, 2024 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR. The family will visit with friends beginning at 5:00 p.m. until the Rosary at the funeral home.
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