BENNIE TRUEL BURLESON, 70, of Berryville, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008, at Hospice of the Hills Hospice House in Harrison.

He was born July 13, 1937, in Borger, Texas, to Grady W. Burleson Sr. and Jocia Belle (Collins) Burleson. In May, 1955, he graduated from Magnolia High School in Magnolia, Texas and went on to serve in the U.S. Navy. On May 25, 1960, he was united in marriage to Hazel Irene Currie, and to this union four children were born.

Before his retirement, Bennie worked at Tyson Foods in Green Forest as a security guard. He was a member of Mt. Olivet Free Will Baptist Church in Blue Eye, Mo. He was devoted to his family and was an avid fisherman.

Bennie is survived by his wife, Hazel Burleson, of the home; father Brady Burleson Sr. and his wife Gertrude of Houston, Texas; two sons, Bennie T. Burleson Jr. of Neosho, Mo. and William B. Burleson and wife Ingrid of Germany; two daughters, Robin Burleson and husband Jack Miller of Neosho and Shannon Haygood of Oak Grove; one brother, Grady W. Burleson Jr. of California; six grandchildren and three great-grandchldren.

He was preceded in death by his mother and one brother.

Celebration of life services were held Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, at Smith Family Funeral Home in Green Forest with Pastor Jimmy Kiser officiating.

A memorial fund has been established at First National Bank in Berryville. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.smithfam ilyfuneralhome.net.