Alton Wayne Speer, of Rector, passed away on March 12, 2024 at the age of 76. He was born on March 1, 1948, in Campbell, Missouri.

Alton graduated from Rector High School in 1966. He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam Era and graduated from the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in 1974. He worked for over 40 years as a mortician for several funeral homes in Arkansas. Many of those years he worked at Irby Funeral Home in Rector, but also was employed at Heath Funeral Home in Paragould and Humphrey Funeral Home in Russellville. Alton enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, and playing on the lake in his free time. The most precious times to him were the wonderful times he spent with his friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Granville and Olean Speer, a brother: Rickey Smart and a special friends, Mike Mobley, Keith Price, Jerry McClure and Jerry Byrd.

He is survived by his wife, Dana, sons: Greg (Stephanie) Speer of Little Rock, Grant Speer of Jonesboro, grandchildren: Shelby Speer of Danville and Austin Speer of Jonesboro, great-grandson: Oliver Clay of Danville, a sister: Gayle (Ron) Benson of Rector, his favorite fur baby, Rags; along with a host of friends and relatives.

Burial will be private on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector, followed by a memorial service at Rector First United Methodist Church at 1:00 p.m. The visitation will follow in Wesley Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rector First United Methodist Church, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Rector Helping Hands Foundation or The Humane Society.

Rector First United Methodist Church 
116 West 3rd Street, Rector, AR 72461

St. Jude Children’s Hospital 
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Rector Helping Hands Foundation 
610 South Main, Rector, AR 72461

The Humane Society 
1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450 
Washington, DC 20037

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