Richard Walter Manley

Richard Walter Manley, 89, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, passed away Jan. 28, 2026, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville. He was a member of New Life Christian Church in Bella Vista.

Born Oct. 21, 1936, in Elkhart, Indiana, to Blake H.C. and Lulamae Walter Manley, Richard graduated from Elkhart High School in 1955. He served 20 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a lieutenant in 1976. His service included duty aboard the USS Ingersoll, Sampson, Chicago, Parsons, Albany and Mahan, earning numerous honors including the Navy Achievement Award and Vietnam Service Medal.

Richard later earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from East Texas State University. He worked with the Social Security Administration and Area Agencies on Aging, and served as executive director of the Mesa Community Action Network in Arizona.

A quiet, humble man of faith, Richard was known for his gentle humor, thoughtful presence and lifelong service to others through church and community involvement. Above all, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Blake H.C. Manley and Lulamae Walter Manley; son Richard Warren Manley; daughter Kathryn Lynne Manley; sister Nancy Lou Thompson; and former spouses Carolyn Reeser and Karen Kidder.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Laura Beth Dawson Manley; children Robert J. Manley, Michael O. Manley (Susan), Blake Richard Manley (Christina) and Kristin Lee Farwig (Tim); stepson Norman James Dawson; sister Michele Ann Clark (Don); 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Feb. 14, at 10 a.m. at New Life Christian Church, Gravette, Arkansas, with a reception to follow. Private interment will be held at Bella Vista Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to restorationfellowship .churchcenter.com/giving, with designation to YWAM, Humphreys, missionaries supported by Richard and Laura for 25 years, or donate to Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville. You may see the full obituary and sign the guest book at www.funeral mation.com.