Mr. William Harlan McAlister, age 83, of Dierks, died Thursday, February 5, 2004 in the Wadley Regional Medical Center in Texarkana, Texas.

He was born on November 16, 1920 in Dierks, Arkansas to Robert Arch and Dewey James McAlister. He was a retired employee of Weyerhaeuser, a veteran of WWII, and a member of the Dierks United Methodist Church.

He as preceded in death by his parents: Robert Arch and Dewey James McAlister; one brother Herman McAlister.

He is survived by his wife: Mildred McAlister; two sons: Ken McAlister of Midland, Texas and Mike McAlister of Lubbock, Texas; one daughter: Penny Watson of San Angelo, Texas; one brother: Russell McAlister of Nashville, Arkansas; one sister: Earnestine Moore of Dierks, Arkansas; one sister-in-law Bobbie Jo McAlister of Mineral Springs, Arkansas; three step children: Diane Hunt of Lima, Ohio, Ronnie Fett of Texarkana, and Gary McComb of Denver, Colorado; seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Funeral Services for Mr. McAlister will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, February 8, 2004 at the First United Methodist Church in Dierks, Arkansas with Rev. Garry Wiles and Lowell Lites, Minister officiating. Burial will follow in the Dierks Cemetery under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, February 07, 2004 at the Dierks funeral home. Memorials may be made to Dierks United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 117 Dierks, Arkansas 71833.

Contributed by Janelle Williams