William Raymond Choat, 76, of Van Buren, AR, passed away Monday, September 26, 2011, in Fort Smith. He was born October 1, 1934 in St. Louis, MO to William J. and Dorothy E. Schmidt Choat. He was retired from Arkansas Best Freight as Operations Manager. He was the owner/operator of the American Bonsai Nursery in Van Buren. He was also a member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Smith.
He is survived by his wife Janet, daughter Cheryl Lynne Cobb and husband Randy of Fort Worth, TX, son William Michael Choat and wife Lesli of Springfield, IL, grandchildren William R. Cobb, Leslie C. Cobb, and Elizabeth C. Choat, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Joann and John Sutherland of Las Vegas, NV and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Tony and Barbara Vecera of O’Fallon, IL.
Visitation will be Friday evening, September 30, 2011, from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM at Edwards Funeral Home. Private service for the family will follow.
Memorials may be made to the Hembree Mercy Cancer Center-Radiation Oncology, 7301 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72903.