W.D. Pritchard

W.D. Pritchard, age 69, passed away Friday, November 18, 2005 at his home. Mr. Pritchard lived in West Branch since 2005, formerly of Mulberry, Florida. He served in military from January 1958 to January 1978, completed 3 tours of duty in Germany, was in charge of the motor pool during the Kennedy era and was a flight control instructor at Fort Rucker, Alabama before retiring. He was in combat in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 earning the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and The Air Medal. Mr. Pritchard was an over-the-road truck driver after he retired from the military. He was a member of American Legion Post #72 of Mulberry, Florida. His great joy and love was his wife Linda and grandkids. Family survivors include his wife Linda; step-son Ralph (Aleda) Gilmore of West Branch; grandchildren Bailey, Bronwyn and Trey; two brothers Dale (Barbara) Pritchard of Berryville, Arkansas, David Pritchard of Fort Smith, Arkansas; two sisters Regina Autry of Columbus, Missouri, Jeri Newberry of Green Forrest, Arkansas; one sister-in-law Rita (Fred) Lochner of Boulder, Colorado and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Pritchard was preceded in death by his parents William and Audra Pritchard. Visitation at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will be on Tuesday November 22, 2005 from 1-2 p.m. The funeral service will take place at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Dan Stoneback will officiate. Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of Helping Hands.