Walter Louis McMahan

Walter Louis McMahan, 92 of Friendship, Arkansas, moved to his heavenly home on Thursday, March 23, 2023.  He was born May 4, 1930, to the late Walter Elbert and Dicie Sheehy McMahan.  He was a lifelong resident of Friendship.   

He retired from Reynolds Metal Co. (Alcoa) in Gum Springs, after thirty-two years of service missing only ½ day due to weather.    He was a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church of Friendship, Arkansas, where he served as an ordained deacon for many years.  He faithfully served as song director for forty-nine years and held other positions of the church.

 He was known for his dedication, kindness to others, love for his wife, his family and he was a very talented musician.   

Louis is survived by his loving wife of seventy-three years, Wanda L. Howell McMahan; his three children, Jerry McMahan (Sharon) of Brown Springs, Arkansas, Danny McMahan (Toni) of Bismarck, Arkansas and Kathy McMahan Perkins (Joe) of Malvern, Arkansas.   He was blessed with ten grandchildren, Tonia McBay (Billy), Tara Martin (Jamie), Jesse Perkins (Katy), Tim Golden (Jennifer), Charla Geddes (Moses), Elizabeth Morris, Daniel McMahan & Sarah Brawley as well as two grandchildren, Rusty McMahan Golden and Byron Perkins preceding him in death.  He and Wanda have eighteen great grandchildren.  

Louis was the last of ten siblings, having four brothers, Pete, Paul, Jim and Jack McMahan and five sisters, Lorene McDaniel, Lucille Jones, Dolly Mae Strother, Dorothy Dyer and Letha Jones as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive guests at a visitation on Sunday, March 26, 2023, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Ruggles Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. 

A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 27, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Ruggles Wilcox Funeral Home with Bro. Ronnie Hardin officiating.   

Louis will be laid to rest at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Friendship.    

Pallbearers will be Cotton Womack, Cecil Hathcock, Phil McMahan, Tony Bell, Vidal Martinez and Shane Ashley.

Honorary caregivers are doctors and staff of Shelly Bray, The Plaza at Twin Rivers, Twin Rivers Nursing and Rehab & Elite Hospice. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friendship Baptist Church, PO Box 14, Friendship AR  71942 or Mr. Pleasant Cemetery, 602 Longbranch Road, Donaldson, AR  71941.    

Arrangements are entrusted to Ruggles Wilcox Funeral Home, 517 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71923.