James Roland Wetherington, age 89, of Arkadelphia, passed from this life on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at Baptist Medical Center in Arkadelphia. He was born on November 14, 1921 at Dalark, the son of James Riley and Annie Thomas Wetherington. In addition to his parents, Roland was predeceased by three brothers, Thomas Newton, Loy Fay and Clyde Bert Wetherington, and two sisters, Adell W. Wilson and Lela W. Stephens. Six other siblings died as children. Roland was a retired veteran of the United States Air Force. During World War II he was stationed at a fighter base in England and later in his career served tours in Germany and Turkey. Roland retired in Valdosta, Georgia, where he founded, and for twenty years operated, Wetherington Insurance Agency. After selling the agency he moved to Florida where he lived in Welaka and later St. Augustine. In 1991 Roland returned to Arkansas to attend the 50th reunion of his class at Sparkman High School, and soon thereafter began dividing his time between Florida and Arkansas, becoming a permanent resident of Arkadelphia in 2004. Roland was a Mason, a member of Disabled American Veterans and a member of Park Hill Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Gaines Wetherington, sisters-in-law, Patricia Gaines of Newark, Delaware, Jean Wetherington and Martha Wetherington of Augusta, Georgia, one niece, Lisa W. (Walter) Smith of Augusta, Georgia, three nephews, Stephen A. (Patti) Wetherington of Evans, Georgia, C. Michael Gaines of Portland, Oregon and P. Casey Gaines of Newark, Delaware, several cousins and numerous dear friends whom he loved. A memorial service with full military honors will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at Welch Funeral Home with Rev. Erby Burgess and Bro John Small officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time. The body will be cremated and the ashes interred at Macedonia Cemetery at a later time. Memorials may be made to Macedonia Cemetery Association, c/o Ted Huneycutt, 3781 Hwy 7 South, Arkadelphia, AR 71923 or Park Hill Baptist Church Building Fund, 3333 Hollywood Rd, Arkadelphia, AR 71923. Services are entrusted to Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the online guest book.