Dr. Fay O. Wardlaw

Dr. Fay O. Wardlaw, 89, of Little Rock, Arkansas, died August 7, 2015. He was a native of Wabbeseka, Arkansas, and the son of the late Ethel Zettie and Robert Wilson Wardlaw of Jefferson County, Arkansas. After graduating from Wabbeseka High School, Fay served in World War II and participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima, one of the bloodiest battles in United States Marine Corps history. He was awarded a commendation for bravery. He spent 45 days on this volcanic island with his fox- hole buddy, Sidney R. “Red” West of Fort Sumner, New Mexico. They remained lifelong friends. He married Gail Deveny, June 19, 1948. They remained inseparable until Gail’s death in November of 2013. Fay attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello from 1949 through 1951. He attended the University of Missouri School of Dentistry in Kansas City, Missouri from 1951 to 1955, graduating with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. He practiced general dentistry in Pine Bluff, Arkansas for two years. He then completed a residency at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, earning a Master of Science in Orthodontics in 1960. He moved his family to Little Rock where he began practicing orthodontics and maintained a practice there for thirty-nine years until retiring in 1997. He operated branch offices in Stuttgart and Helena, Arkansas. He was joined in his practice by his son, Dr. David Wardlaw from 1989 until 1997. He became a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics in 1968. He was a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon fraternity, the Zi Psi Phi dental fraternity and the Pierre Fouchard Academy. He became a Fellow of the American College of Dentists and a Diplomate of the International College of Dentists. He was a member of the Pulaski County Dental Society and the Arkansas State Dental Society. He also belonged to the Southwestern Society of Orthodontists and the American Association of Orthodontists and held offices in both. Fay was a member of Second Presbyterian Church where he taught Sunday school and served on the Board of Deacons. He always had an active interest in real estate and served as the General Partner in the Executive West Building Company Limited Partnership located at Markham and Rodney Parham. He was a member of Rotary International, a board member of Central Arkansas Health Planning Council, and received a Governor’s appointment to the Arkansas Council on Higher Education. Fay was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Gail Deveny Wardlaw and his grandson, Winston Penn Wardlaw. He is survived by his children, Pam Wardlaw Cathey, Marsha Wardlaw Clevenger, Dr. David Wardlaw and wife Susie Wardlaw, all of Little Rock; Beverly Wardlaw Pierce and husband Dr. Barry Pierce of Mountain View. He is also survived by six loving grandchildren, Jason Knapp (Nicole), Jacquie Bolin (Billy), Wilson Clevenger, Austin Clevenger, Scott Wardlaw and Robert Wardlaw and four great grandchildren, Olivia and Taylor Knapp and Jaelyn and Madison Bolin and numerous nieces and nephews and brother in law, Paul Deveny (Janismarie) and sister in law, Catherine Deveny. Fay is also survived by Emily Hall, his very dear friend who spent countless hours with him and was by his side when he died. Fay was affectionately called “Big Daddy” by his family and friends. He had a heart that was larger than his 6ft.5in. frame. His love of God, family and friends was unmatched. The family would like to express our appreciation to his incredible caregivers: Amy Baldwin, Connie Beets, Michael Spencer, the staffs of Woodland Heights, Clarity Pointe, Valley Ranch and Arkansas Hospice, especially Vicky McElwrath. A special thank you to his Marine Corps buddy, Rogers Davis, for his friendship. Burial will be private and the Memorial Service celebrating his life will be Monday, August 10, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72227. Memorials may be made to Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72227 or to the Winston Penn Wardlaw Memorial Scholarship Fund at Catholic High School for Boys, 6300 Father Tribou Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 (rocketalumni.com/donations).