Wayne Treadway

Wayne grew up in Flippin where he worked for his father in the saw mill business. They later moved to Booneville where he graduated from High School and met the love of his life, Norma. He moved to California where he built airplanes for the war effort until he turned 19 and volunteered to join the Army Air Corp, which is now the US Air Force. He was deployed to Europe where he flew as a co-pilot in a B17 Flying Fortress. On his 19th mission, he was part of a 2000 plane air armada that was performing an air raid on a Berlin rail yard when his plane was shot down. After bailing out, he spent 3 months as a prisoner of war until Patton’s army liberated him.

After the war, he settled in Fort Smith. There, Wayne started a body shop business, Treadway Body Shop, where he successfully repaired cars for around 65 years before retiring. He was an active member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church and always put God first. He served as a deacon for 30 years and ultimately served as Chairman of the Deacons. He also served as Chairman of the Building Committee that built the beautiful sanctuary where the members of GABC worship today. He was a very generous man who loved to help others. He loved to take family and friends to the lake and teach them how to ski. He enjoyed traveling and playing golf, and was especially happy when he could combine the two! His wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was always present and involved in their lives, and they will never forget the love of this generous man.

He is survived by two daughters, Kathy and husband John Glidewell of Fort Smith and Kim and husband Mark Millwood of Nashville, AR; seven grandchildren, Robin Gillespie of Fort Smith, Sarah Sawyer of Fort Smith, Jenna Millwood of Little Rock, Leah Pope and husband Jason of Nashville, AR., Melissa Millwood of Fayetteville, AR; Todd and wife Tausha Treadway of Van Buren, and Wes and wife Angela Sawyer of Fort Smith; six great grandchildren, Paxton Gillespie, Jake Gillespie, Tyler Treadway, Mila Pope, Maddex Pope, and Ava Sawyer. He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Norma Catherine Treadway (who he lovingly called “Kiddo”); two sons, Robert Treadway and Ronald Treadway; and one great grandson, Tanner Treadway.

Funeral service will be Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 10:00 AM in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in Oak Hill Cemetery in Booneville, AR all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home Saturday morning from 9:00 am until service time.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2408 South 51st Court, Fort Smith, AR 72903; Grand Avenue Baptist Church, 39th and Grand Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72904; or the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, Northampton, Massachusetts 01061-0515.

To sing an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com