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Submitted: 7/31/14 • Approved: 8/1/14 • Last Updated: 8/4/14 • R1027993-G0-S3
October 24, 1928 - September 12, 2013
rollerfuneralhomes.com
Leslie Bogard Wilfong of Little Rock died peacefully at Baptist Health Medical Center on September 12, 2013. Leslie loved the Lord Jesus and was devoted to the Christian principles that directed his life. He lived each day with a humble, servant spirit and leaves a legacy of true faithfulness.
Leslie was born October 24, 1928 in McCrory, Arkansas to Laura Ellen and John Franklin Wilfong. He attended schools in McCrory, and came to faith in Christ at the Baptist church there. The family moved to Little Rock in the fall of 1943 and Leslie graduated from Little Rock High School (now Central High) in January, 1947. Upon graduation from high school, Leslie began working for Union National Bank. On March 28, 1950, he enlisted in the United States Army at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. While there, Leslie met Betty Ann Duffin, the love of his life. On November 30, 1952, two days after he was discharged from the Army, Leslie and Betty were married in the Calvary Baptist Church of Fort Smith. The following week they moved to Little Rock, where Leslie began working again at Union National Bank. He graduated from the University Of Oklahoma School Of Banking and continued working for Union 47 years, retiring as Vice-President and Commercial Loan Officer on December 31, 1993.
The week after they moved to Little Rock, Betty and Leslie began working with the young people of Immanuel Baptist Church. They devoted their lives to countless teenagers through Sunday School, Training Union, GA’s, and Summer Camps at Siloam Springs. Leslie was also a Deacon, serving as Chairman in 1977. He was a member of the George Preiss Sunday School Class for many years, where he was affectionately called “Mr. Secretary”. Most recently, Leslie served to help families in their time of need on the Bereavement Committee. After his retirement, Leslie was a faithful volunteer at Baptist Hospital where the Baptist Health Auxiliary Board honored him as their first male president in June, 2004. He served as president until May, 2005, and remained a faithful volunteer until his passing. In their retirement years, Leslie and Betty would share a devotional time every day about 4:00 pm by reading the Bible aloud, journaling, and praying together. Leslie had been an active, faithful member of Immanuel for 68 years when he began his heavenly journey.
Leslie was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Rowland Wilfong, and his sister, Alta Parker. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 61 years, Betty Wilfong; two brothers – Meredith Wilfong and wife, Jean of Nashville, Indiana; John Wilfong of St. Charles, Missouri; a sister – Marion Martin and husband, Charles of North Little Rock and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Mark Bennett, Ken Carter, Dr. Earl Goacher, Robert Hallmark, Jerry Paul, George Preiss, and Rev. Lary Tidball. The family will greet friends at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, AR (501)224-8300, on Sunday, September 15, 2013 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Burial will be at Riverwood Memorial Gardens in Maumelle at 10:00 am on Monday, September 16, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at Immanuel Baptist Church at 1:00 pm. If you would like to honor Leslie’s life, please do so with a memorial to Immanuel Baptist Church.
Contributed on 7/31/14 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 1027993