Roland Gillespie, WWII veteran, gained his independence on July 4, 2017. Born Aug 13, 1927, he was a month shy of his 90th birthday when, as Daddy would say, the good Lord took him on home.

Roland was born to William Dexter Gillespie and Bertha Raleigh Gillespie and raised in Malvern AR, where he lived all his life but for the three years he served his country as a medic in the US Army Air Corps. He liked to tell about being on Guam, the Philippines, Saipan, Okinawa, Shanghai China and Hawaii. If you lived nearby, you might have heard him calling the Hogs from the front porch on game day.

Known as Nutsy, or Uncle Nut, to family, and Doc to many at Safeway and Alcoa, Roland was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Mary Lou Fielding Gillespie. He was the youngest of 11 brothers and sisters who all preceded him in death. He was Daddy to Cindy Gage (Duffie Bruce), Cathy Chancellor (Glen), and Crysta Brantley (Rev. Dr. Clay), and Papaw to Dana Gage Winsauer (Jim), Josh Chancellor, Drew and Michaela Brantley. He was Papoo to great-grandchildren Casey, Hallie and Connor Winsauer.

Roland was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Malvern where he served as ordained elder and in many other capacities. With ancestry from Scotland, he was an 8th generation Presbyterian.

He spent his last years at Encore Nursing and Rehab where the residents are their own little family. Daddy was an advocate for many there. The family appreciates the wonderful nurses and staff at Encore that cared for and loved Roland.

He received amazing care from Dr. Mariann Harrington, Dr. David Jones, the nurses and PCT's at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock and a host of other staff. To all of you, we say "Thank you, ma'am (and sir)."

Visitation will be held at J.A. Funk Funeral Home on Thursday, July 6, from 6-8 p.m. Graveside services with Military Honors will be at Shadowlawn Cemetery at 10 a.m. on July 7, with a memorial service following at First Presbyterian Church in Malvern at 11 a.m. with Reverends Courtney Bacon-Latina and Clay Brantley officiating.

Memorials can be made to First Presbyterian Church Malvern or the American Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.