Benton Co., AR - Obituaries - William E. Conley *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: J. Bradford Griffith Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************** William E. Conley (1915), Benton Co., AR unknown newspaper, Benton Co., AR, ?? January 1915 WM. E. CONLEY Wm. E. Conley, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of the east end of Benton county, died Sunday at his home on Prairie Creek. Death was the immediate result of kidney trouble and complications, with which he had been afflicted for some time. He had been in town only a few weeks previous and the news of his death came as a great shock to his many friends here. The following obituary was prepared by a friend: William E. Conley, the oldest child of Geo. A. Conley and Arminta Conley, was born December 2, 1842, in Dallas Co., Mo. At the age of 18 years he enlisted in the Confederate army under the command of General Shelby, serving until the close of the war and being engaged in the battled of Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove and Shelby's raid in Missouri. After the war, his father, having immigrated to Arkansas, he came to Benton county, and was married August 10, 1869, to Mis Roe Ann Mahan, to whom were born ten children, six boys and four girls. His companion departed this life October 12, 1898. He spent his entire married life in Benton Co. He professed faith in Christ and united with the Christian church in 1893. He died January 3 1915. He leaves four sons, Walter S. Conley of Bloomington, Calif; Lester J. Conley, Claud D. Conley and Chas. R. Conley, all of Rogers, and three daughters, Mrs. Nona Epperly of Bengal, Okla., Annie Conley and Verna Conley of Rogers. Also one brother, W. S. Conley, of Valley, Okla, and a half brother, E. C. Conley of Springdale. All the children, except the son in California, were present at the death of their father. The funeral services Monday afternoon were attended by one of the largest crowds ever assembled at Pace's Chapel. Rev. R. M. Thompson preached the discourse, in which he tried to prove the unspeakable gain, profit, promotion and victory given the departed at death, because of his unswerving loyalty to Jesus Christ, his saviour. Strong men stood in the church yard and wept in attestation of the sterling moral worth of Bro. Conley. He had no enemy; was beloved by men, women and chilldren [sic]. No one stood higher in public esteem and quiet, sympathetic, patient, courageous soul he was. His life was as clean as a hound's tooth. The departed lived for a time near Little Flock and hearing of his death, that church appointed Mr. Easley as their representative to attend the funeral and convey their warm and affectionate remembrance of Bro. Conley's many manly traits of character. Mr. Easley was present and spoke with much emotion. "Life's race well run, Life's work well done, Life's crown well won. Now comes rest." [From a Benton County, Arkansas newspaper, date unknown. I am submitting for a friend & have no other information about this family.]