Walter L. "Skip" Broadway

Walter L. "Skip" Broadway passed quietly at the age of 70 on Monday, April 9, 2018. He was a long-time resident of McRae, Ark., and was born March 10, 1948, in Manning, S.C. His parents were Marion Broadway and Eloise (Vining) Broadway of Manning. He was married to Gail Broadway of Latta, S.C. Skip was a U.S. Navy veteran, initially classified as a welder, but volunteered for combat service during the Vietnam War. He served with the River Patrol Force aboard specially designed river patrol boats, and this force is most commonly referred to as the Brown Water Navy. For his service, Skip received three Purple Heart commendations for being "wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy." Skip spent the remainder of his life working in commercial truck driving, in heavy equipment operations, and in related fields in the construction industry. During his free time, Skip was an avid fisherman, loved woodworking and metalworking and really just creating things with his hands. Skip is survived by his brother Steve Boardway (Linda); sons Paul Carmichael (Tammy) and John Carmichael (Karen); and four daughters, Marie, Diane, Becky and Gina. Skip had 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Eloise Broadway, wife Gail Broadway, and sister Sandra Kay Broadway. "No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation." — General Douglas MacArthur. Services will be 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2018, at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Cremation arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home. www.SmithFamilyCares.com.