Paul Douglas Westerman, age 59, of Malvern, died Monday, October 20, 2008. He was born in Malvern on December 14, 1948 to the late Sims and Florita "Pete" House Westerman. Reared and educated in Malvern, he was a 1966 graduate of Malvern High School. Paul was a Navy veteran of the Viet Nam War, having served aboard the USS Hancock. He attended auto body repair school in Nashville for a time, but found his "calling" as a diesel mechanic after completing the required training. He retired in 2006 from Ryder Transportation Services, Inc. with 32 years of service to the company. Paul was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. He was a loving husband and father, and doted on his grandchildren.

He leaves behind his wife, Debbie Patterson Westerman, to whom he was married on June 26, 1971 in West Memphis; his son, Christopher Paul Westerman and his wife, Ellen of Conway; his daughter, Amber Lyn Jines and her husband, Wendall of Cherokee Village; his brother, Billy Ray Westerman and his wife, Shari; his two sisters, Sheila Rose Robinson and her husband William, and Cindy Lou Beason and her husband Richard, all of Malvern; by six grandchildren, Lexie Bengtson, Emily Jines, Macy Jines, Marly Jines, Weston Jines, and Nate Westerman.

Paul was also preceded in death by an infant brother, Jerry Max Westerman.

His funeral will be eleven o'clock Thursday morning, October 23, 2008 in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Brother Todd Bray officiating. Interment will follow in Fairplay Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Richard Carpenter, Jim Gordon, Jesse Rucker, Brian Bailey, Johnny Corley, and Jimmy Corley.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. P. K. Reddy, Dr. Rimantas Kazakevicius, and the staff of St. Joseph's Cancer Clinic.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Wednesday evening from six until eight o'clock.

Memorials are requested to Emmanuel Baptist Church, Malvern.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.