Gerald "Jerry" William Heggy, age 89, of Fort Smith, passed away Thursday, December 1, 2022, at Ashton Place Manor. He was born May 5, 1933, in Girard, Illinois to Glenn Heggy and Ada Sooy Atchison.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Fort Smith, where he served the Lord.

Gerald is a U.S. Navy veteran, serving aboard the USS Hornet CVA-12 during the Korean War and part of the 7th Fleet in the First Taiwan Strait Crisis. His service was sandwiched between WWII and Vietnam, so it was called the Forgotten War, but not to him. Jerry talked of the ship, duties, mates, and letters from home, as they were forever ingrained in his memories. Thinking ahead on the ship he picked the 4th (top bunk) to sleep in so as not to be stepped on or thrown-up on by sea-sick sailors. And the 13 buttoned trousers made him cringe as he recalled the strength required of their bladder.

Upon an honorable discharge from the Navy, he went to work for General Dynamics – Astronautics Division where he was a Sr. Engineering Test Inspector. In Camden, he was a supervisor for the Pomona Division of General Dynamics, and for Lockheed Martin Vought Systems as a Quality Assurance Internal Auditor.

His long career spanned 58 years, from 1957 to 2015, when he moved to Fort Smith to enjoy retirement.

He loved cowboy boots, taco Tuesday, washing his truck, mowing his yard, and listening to the old country classics. In his earlier days he was a square-dance caller.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Alice Heggy Carty; and two brothers, Danny and Ronnie Atchison.

He is survived by his loving wife, Charlotte Ann; two daughters, Anna Layne and Terry of Fort Smith and Virginia Ogle and Ray of Lafayette, Louisiana; a son, Wayne and Chris Purvis of Byhalia, Mississippi; four grandchildren, Meagan Burns and Jack of Greenwood, Josh Schumacher and Victor of Sacramento, California, Scott Schumacher of Prairie Grove, and Alex Ogle of Lafayette, Louisiana; two great-grandchildren, Molly Merrill of Greenwood, and Phoenix Schumacher of Prairie Grove; and many more family and friends.

A family conducted committal service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 6, 2022, in Fort Smith National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to be made in Jerry's honor to the Gideons International at www.sendtheword.org through the First Baptist Church in Fort Smith.

Online guestbook and condolences available at www.shinnfuneral.com.