The busy life of Field Kindley Wasson, Sr., came to a close on May 13th, 2020, after a decade of flirtation with heart disease. He was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas on June 1, 1932.
He married Mary Angela Clinton in Hot Springs, Arkansas on April 30, 1955 and thereafter was primarily engaged with family life. In addition to Mary Ann, he is survived by children: Angela Leigh Wasson-Hunt (Stuart Hunt Lindsey Hunt Plaster/Andrew Plaster and Taylor Hunt, Field Kindley Wasson, Jr., deceased (Nancy Wasson, Elizabeth Wasson, Field Kindley Wasson, III), Karl Clinton Wasson (Ann McGowan Wasson, Michael/Mimi Wasson, Matthew Wasson, Katy Wasson). He is also survived by his brother, Marion and sister, Rebecca.
He was educated in the public schools of Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas (LIB with honors 1955.) He was also Commander of his fraternity, Sigma Nu. He was the third of five generations who attended U of A, from the late 19th century to 21st century. All named survivors hold baccalaureate degrees and four hold advanced degrees. If you wonder where the money went, look no further.
After graduation, he served two years as a JAG officer in the U. S. Army Air Corps (USAAF) in Wichita Falls, Texas. This service seemed natural as he was named for his cousin, Field Kindley, a World War I Airforce Ace.
The next 27 years the family lived in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, where he was engaged in the family bank, The Bratt-Wasson Bank / First National Bank of Siloam Springs. In addition to family life, he engaged in a wide variety of public organizations, including the 1969 Arkansas Constitutional Convention and President of the Little Rock branch of the Federal Reserve Bank. He was also a member of the 8th district of the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank.
He and Mary Ann moved to Sanibel Island, Florida in 1983, where they lived for the next 23 years, where he participated in numerous organizations including President of the Sanibel Library, which built a new library under his tenure, President of the Power Boat Squadron and President of their condominium association where he supervised the rebuilding of their facility after extensive damage from Hurricane Charley in 2004.
The majority of his and Mary Ann’s lives were spent as active members of the Methodist Church. He believed that the Kingdom of God resides in all of us, and tried to be helpful while going on his way.
His advice to grandchildren was that life was like grade school: there are periodic moves to new rooms where you meet new friends and learn new stuff.
There were many interesting experiences, among them: time spent on a farm during grade school; education in the law and experience in the military justice system; visits to Washington, D.C. while a member of the Federal Reserve; trips to the White House as guest of Mary Ann’s cousin, Bill Clinton, including a night in the Lincoln Bedroom and an afternoon on the Truman Balcony.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a Celebration of Field’s life will be held at-a-later-date in Fayetteville, AR. Memories of Field and condolences to the family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.
Field will be missed also here at Bishop Spencer Place where he and Mary Ann were our neighbors. The two of them were important members of the Fourth Floor West Wing. So fly high Field and come back to visit us here when ever you want.
We are grateful for the times we spent with Field at Bishop Spencer.
I’m so sad to learn of Field’s passing. Until a few months ago, he and Mary Ann were my hall neighbors at Bishop Spencer Place. They were among the classiest, most charming people I’ve ever met. And what a wonderful legacy Field has left. The world was a better place because of him.
Please know I’m thinking of the family during this time with fond remembrance of Field. Much love to all.
Dear Mary Ann and family,
We were so saddened to learn of Field’s passing. I have lost a special friend as well as fraternity brother.
He was in our wedding in Hot Springs and we shared a lot of great times together.
Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Frank and Gwen Murchison
Dear Mary Ann and Family,
Please accept our sincerest condolences on Field’s passing.
Billie Jo Starr and the Joe F. Starr Family, Fayetteville, AR