Hartwell "Sonny" Wilson

Obituary Notice

Hartwell Thomas, "Sonny" Wilson, age 86, of Little Rock, died Thursday, October 21, 2004. Sonny was born in Helena, Arkansas where he graduated from high school. He also graduated from Mississippi State University in Starkville. After school he was drafted joining the U.S. Army and was apart of the D-Day Invasion, arriving at Normandy Beach 6 days after the invasion. He was wounded two months after his arrival. Within that short period of time Sonny was awarded 2 Bronze Stars, a Silver Star and Purple Heart. He eventually returned to Arkansas and started his career in sales working for Arkmo Lumber Company in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Little Rock. Sonny and Jess Harkness Curl, of Helena, were married in 1945, raising two sons, John and Hartwell. Sonny continued his interest in the lumber business working for Arkla Gas Company where he was sales manager of their Forest Products Division. Before his retirement in 1974 he worked for Stewart Forest Products. Sonny loved hunting, fishing and camping with his family. He was a member of Lakeside Country Club, and Belcher Hunting Club. He and Jess were members of Westover Hills Presbyterian Church. 

Sonny is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jess Harkness Curl Wilson, of Little Rock, two sons, John Charles Wilson and wife Ann of Little Rock, Hartwell Thomas Wilson of Wichita Falls, Texas, two brother-in-laws, Robert S. Curl and wife Glenna of Amarillo, Texas, Charles C. Curl of Amarillo, Texas, one sister Marjorie Hall of Live Oaks, Florida, and two grandchildren, Matthew and Jessica Wilson. 

There will be a visitation Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ruebel Funeral Home, followed by a memorial service Saturday at 10am at Westover Hills Presbyterian Church officiated by Reverends Debbie and Jim Freeman. Services are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com. 

Memorials in lieu of flowers should be made to Westover hills Presbyterian Church, 6400 Kavanaugh Blvd, Little Rock 72207, or Presbyterian Village Residence Center, 500 Brookside Drive, Little Rock 72205.

Register Book

• Dear Jess, Sorry to hear about your loss of Sonny. I remember the years of Morgan Lumber Co. when Sonny used to call on us in England, AR. He was a fine man that I remember well.
  Sincerely, D.B. "Jack" Morgan, Jr.
  Morgan Lumber & Construction, Co. 
  England, Arkansas
  Email: shirleyjackm@aol.com
  
• Jane and Harold Hamilton 
  Little Rock, Arkansas
  Email: hhamil@aristotle.net
  
• Jess - you and your family are in my prayers for God's healing grace. Sonny was a wonderful, caring man of faith and we will all miss his smiling face and the joy he brought to all those he knew. May God surround you with love and perserverance for each day. Love, 
  Susie Wiggins
  Little Rock, Arkansas
  Email: secwiggins@sbcglobal.net
  
• Jess - I am thinking of you today and all the days ahead. Sonny was a wonderful husband, father, and friend and we will all miss him. May God bless you and your family during this time of sadness. I will talk to you soon. Love,
  Lib Carter
  Conway, Arkansas
  Email: lib72034@sbcglobal.net
  
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