Herb Marshall

Herbert Hal Marshall, Sr. passed away peacefully at his home in Huntsville, Arkansas, on January 12th, 2026.

Herb was born January 10, 1941, in Prairie Grove, Arkansas; to Roberta Marshall Waggoner. When Roberta passed away in 1947, Herb was raised by his grandparents, aunts and uncles in the communities of Greenland and West Fork as well as Fayetteville and Springdale.

Herb was a true American hero, having a passion for both military service and law enforcement, with long decorated careers in both. He started with the Marines at age 15, then joined the Army at 18, serving with US Army Special Forces (Green Berets) including two combat tours in Vietnam.

Herb left the Army in 1968, and began his career in law enforcement, working for the King County Sheriff's office and Issaquah Police Dept in Washington State. Upon moving back to Arkansas, he went to work for the Washington County Sheriff's office. Herb successfully ran for Washington County Sheriff, winning three terms back-to-back. In 1981, after completing his third term, he joined the Navy, serving eleven years as a Master at Arms, including service in the Persian Gulf War, and retiring in 1992 with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Not yet ready to settle down, Herb joined the Madison County Sheriff's Office as Chief Deputy.

In 1999, Herb finally retired for good and enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends. He had many hobbies including coin collecting, knife making- creating some beautiful knives. A man of adventure, he was an avid hunter-harvesting many big game species, loved Harley motorcycles, and even mining for gold in the wilds of Alaska. He traveled with his wife across the country, seeing most of America. He has been mentioned by name in many books, interviewed by National Geographic, contributed to the Oral History of Washington County, and spoke fluent French. Most importantly, throughout his life he was an unrelenting advocate for our nation's Veterans.

Herb was baptized into the Church of Christ, and, with his wife Susan, they attended the Huntsville Church of Christ until he was unable due to illness.

Herb is preceded in death by his mother, Roberta Marshall Waggoner; a son, Morgan Marshall; uncles Brooks, Sherrod, and Irvine Marshall; aunts Ella Jean Pryor, Loretta Jones, Carolyn Waggoner, and Kaye Canfield; and his in-laws, Clay and Joan McElhaney.

He is survived by his wife, Susan McElhaney Marshall of Huntsville; two sons, Hal Marshall, of Fayetteville; and Brant Marshall, of Centerton; two daughters, Cheryl Marshall, of Rogers; and Nicole Price, and son-in-law, Jerry, of Huntsville, Texas; brother-in-law, Jimmy McElhaney, and wife Deanna, and sister-in-law, Jennifer Bolinger, and husband Ron. Grandchildren include, Robert Miller, and wife Anndi, of Bentonville; Ashley Wheeley, of Savannah, Georgia; Joseph Marshall, of Tampa, Florida; Conner Teters, and Jerica Rolufs, both of Fayetteville. Surviving family members also include his cousins, Sonny Marshall, of West Fork; Russell LaGroue, of Houston, Texas; Sidney Reiff, of Garfield; Mort Marshall and Jovey Marshall, of Farmington; Susie Wilson, of Savoy; Beverly Battaglia, Loganville, Georgia; and Bobette Risk of Fayetteville, as well as several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Brashears Funeral Home with Larry Combs and Hal Marshall officiating; internment with military honors, will be 12:30 PM at Fayetteville National Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers include his best friend, Rocky Howard; Sheriff Ronnie Boyd, Sheriff Jay Cantrell, Tim Helder, Brett Ledford, Bruce Ledford, Tracy Spencer, Alex Keck, Jerry Price, Jimmy McElhaney, Ron Bolinger, Dr. Michael Love, and deputies of the Washington and Madison County Sheriff's Offices. In leu of flowers, please send donations to Arkansas Children's Hospital, 2601 Gene George Blvd., Springdale, AR 72762. Services are entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory, Huntsville.