Benjamin Franklin Hoyle Jr.

Benjamin Franklin Hoyle Jr., age 87 years, 7 months & 17 days of Hatton, Arkansas, gained his heavenly wings on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at his home after suffering two separate strokes, surrounded by family & friends. Ben, Frank or Frankie, as he was known, was born on Saturday, 27 July 1935, in Acorn, AR, to Benjamin (Bennie) Franklin Sr., and Ruth Emmaline (Stipe) Hoyle of Hatton, AR.

Frankie graduated from Van-Cove High School in 1954 and attended Carl Albert Jr. College in Poteau, OK, before enlisting in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a Combat Engineer. He served a tour in Vietnam before retiring in Jan. 1975, after 20 years’ service, from Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. After his service he drove trucks for various companies before settling with Brazos Transportation in Lockesburg, AR, for several years and approximately 20 years for JB Hunt of Lowell, AR.

He was the first Commander of the VFW post established in Wickes, AR, a member of the American Legion Post and Masonic Lodge, which were also located in Wickes, AR. He was also a member and leader of the John Birch Society which met in his home. Frank was a justice of the peace for White Township, Polk County, AR for a time in the late ’70’s, early ‘80’s.

Ben was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cove, AR, and studied under Dr. Arnold Murray of Shepherds Chapel of Gravette, AR. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, 2 great-grandfather, uncle, nephew and friend, and will be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents Bennie & Ruth, wife Willia Dean (Norris), son Stephen W. Hoyle, half-sister Loretta Mae (Hoyle) Newby and sister Deanna June (Hoyle) Craig McNully.

Survivors include brother Donald D. & wife Peggy S. (Marbut) Hoyle: seven sons: Mark A. & wife S. Ann (Keeney) Hoyle of Hatton, AR; Paul D. & Ashly R. (DeCarme) Hoyle of Galax, VA; D. Alan & wife Lynette C. (Mayes) Hoyle of Ovilla, TX; Edward C. Hoyle of Hatton, AR; David E. & wife Lorri of Ovilla, TX, Jason T. Hoyle of AR; Eric K. & wife Megan S. (Smith) Hoyle and special grandson David R. Hoyle of Hatton, AR; 16 other grandchildren, 9 Great-grandchildren and 3 Great-great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Honorary Pall Bearers: Ray Baily, Mike Harwood, Mitchell Kanna, Weldon Rye II, Terry Scott, Tim Scott, Charles Terwilliger, Joe Williams,

Memorial services will be 2 pm Monday, April 17, 2023, at the Church of the Nazarene in Wickes, AR with Brother Don Youngblood officiating.

Graveside service will follow at a later date and time to be determined, at the Witherspoon Cemetery near Vandervoort, AR. Crematory service are under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home in Mena, AR.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

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