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Obit For William Richard Felker
Headline W.R. FELKER DIES AT ROGERS MONDAY
Old Time and Highly Respected Citizen Succumbs After Bad Stoke Last Friday
Text Rogers, Ark. Aug. 26 - W.R. Felker, 74 year old founder of the first bank established in Rogers, railroad builders and merchant, died here Monday afternoon after an illness of three days of acute indigestion. He was a native of Barry county, Missouri, where he engaged in the mercantile business until coming to Rogers 45 years ago. Until retiring from business 15 years ago he was among the outstanding citizens of this section.

While president of the Bank of Rogers, Mr. Felker had charge of the construction of a railroad which began at Rogers and ran to Siloam Springs. Another branch to Fayetteville and on through Monte Ne was being built eastward when the World War caused the abandonment of the project.

Funeral arrangements are pending the arrival of a daughter, Mrs. Marie Morris of Longview, Wash., who is in enroute here. Other survivors are another daughter.

Mr. Felker was born and reared on Washburn Prairie, south of Cassville and was a brother of the late, Mrs. John Varner. He resided many years in this county, previous to moving to Rogers, and had many friends who will regret to hear of his passing. He was a progressive man and did much in the up building of his home city of Rogers.

Years ago, Mr. Felker engaged in the general mercantile business at Washburn, with W.K. Bayless of Claremore Okla. He later moved to Golden City, Mo., where he entered the banking business. After living at that place a few years, he moved to Rogers, and entered the banking business, where he remained until his passing.

T.S. Frost of Cassville was a clerk in the Felker-Bayless store at Washburn, in his younger years, and has long been a personal friend of the deceased. Mr. Felker will be remembered by the old time citizens of this section by who he was esteemed very highly.

He is the father of John E. Felker, one of the high officials of the Union Life, Progressive Life and Union Aid Life Insurance companies of Rogers, who attended him during his late illness.

Funeral services were held at the family home in Rogers, Thursday afternoon after which the remains were laid to rest in the Rogers cemetery. He is survived by Mrs. Mark Morris of Longview. Ore, Mrs. F.F. Freenan of Oklahoma City and three sons, John, treasurer of two large companies in this city; Bunn, manager of the Felker farms east of Rogers, and Warren of Springdale and the widow, mother of Warren.
Newspaper or Funeral Home Cassville Democrat
Date Aug. 30, 1929
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Submitted by Barbara Erwin