William E Wheat "Jim"

William E. Wheat “Jim”, 83, of Siloam Springs, passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the Earlene Howard Hospice House in Springdale.

Jim was born on September 26,1940, in Morrilton, Arkansas. He was the son of Floy Mae Brock.  He married Glenda Mae Shoemaker on January 8, 1960, in Benton, Arkansas. Jim worked for Kellwood Garment Factory for many years and also for Lift Truck Service Center in Little Rock as a truck driver before his retirement. After his retirement, he drove school buses for the Lonoke School District and the Siloam Springs School District.  He was very active in church having been a Deacon at the Open Arms Assembly of God in Beebe, AR. He was also instrumental in starting the church bus ministry at Brownsville Assembly of God in Lonoke, AR.  He would go on visitation on Saturdays, inviting children and their families to Sunday School and worship services.  He would then drive the church bus on Sundays to pick them up. When he moved to Siloam Springs, he continued volunteering in ministry as a member of The Assembly in Siloam Springs. He loved watching Westerns, listening to southern gospel music, and tinkering with instruments.  Horses were always something he was passionate about. He even would sometimes ride in parades with his granddaughter. Above all he loved his grandchildren and liked to tease and share stories with them. He also served with honor in the United State Army Reserves. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Floy Mae Brock, and one son, Ernie Wheat.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Glenda Wheat of the home; one daughter, Karen Cruce and husband Greg of Springdale; one son Gary Wheat and wife Krystal of Siloam Springs; one brother, Art Sanson of Mayflower, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Hunter Cruce and wife Chasity, Ashlyn Hill and husband Cherokee, Mitchell Wheat, and Tammy Cruce Morgan and husband Scott along with their children Colby and Emerson; along with many other family members and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made towards the Silk Road Fire Bible Project.  Jim loved the Bible and loved telling people about the gospel of Christ.  Donations can be made at www.theassembly.life under the give link.  Please mark your donation Jim Wheat Memorial. 

Visitation will be held at The Assembly in Siloam Springs, AR on Thursday, September 28, 2023, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. 

Funeral service will be held at The Assembly on Friday, September 29, 2023, at 9:00 am with Rev. Glenn Dorsey, Rev. Mike McAteer and Rev. Gary Wheat officiating. The burial will be held at 3:00 pm at the Brownsville Cemetery in Lonoke, Arkansas.

The arrangements were entrusted to Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Siloam Springs, AR. To sign the online guestbook, please visit, www.backstrom-pyeatte.com.