Charles Laymon “C.L.” Fendley, age 95, was called up by his Lord and Saviour on May 12, 2023. Having always been a man searching for a good trade, he swapped his earthly home for his heavenly home. As always, he definitely got the better deal.

C.L. was born October 31st, 1927 in the Fendley community near Alpine, Arkansas, to the late Wiley and Georgia Bryant Fendley. Due to his father needing help with the farm, he was only able to attend school through the 8th grade. He lived in many areas, wherever work could be found, including Alpine, Camden, Arkadelphia, Gurdon, Hot Springs, Dallas, TX, and Colorado. He was a longtime member of Oak Bower Church of Christ and Prairie Bayou Church of Christ in Bismarck. 

C.L. wore many hats… Husband, father, uncle, grandfather, laborer, contractor, entrepreneur, cattleman, realtor, hunter, horse trader, and the list goes on and on. To those who knew and loved him, he was the hardest working man any of us had ever known.

He is preceded in death by two brothers, D.A. Fendley, and Ruben Fendley; seven sisters, Stella Lackey, Lillian Childress, Gwendolyn Fendley, Nana Fendley, Gladys Pelham, Frauline Mathis, and Julia Garrett; his daughter, Robin Piper; and his wife of 55 years, Ruthell Fendley. 

He is survived by his brother Gerald Fendley of the Fendley community; two sons, Michael Fendley and Mitch Fendley (Amy) of Bismarck; son-in-law Raymond Piper of Bismarck; six grandkids, Kevin Fendley (Tera), Dennis Fendley (Chelley), Darryl Fendley (Anna), Brendon Piper (Kristin), Christopher Fendley (Mikala), and Miki Fendley (Chris West); 10 great grandkids, Samantha (Trey) Smith, Hayli and Erin Fendley; Addison and Hunter Fendley; Kylie Piper; Declan and Cohen Fendley; Brandon and Ezra Fendley; 

His wife of 19 years, Adele Fendley; her three daughters, Angie Tillery (Carl) of Hot Springs Village, Kay Brown of Hot Springs, and Susie Harper (Jim) of Hot Springs; seven grandkids, Justin Tillery, Chase Tillery (Alex), Evan (Katie) Harper, Seth (Alexis) Harper, Dalton Brown, Dillan (Britney) Brown, and Carson Brown; 5 great grandkids Raylyn, Laykyn and Colton Harper, Parker and Brekyn Brown; and many other nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, May 19th, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Welch Funeral Home in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. 

A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on May 20th, 2023, at Welch Funeral Home with Mike Fendley officiating.

He will be laid to rest at Hickory Grove Cemetery, in Bismarck Arkansas. 

 Pallbearers will be Kevin Fendley, Dennis Fendley, Darryl Fendley, Brendon Piper, Christopher Fendley and Chris West. 

Honorary pallbearers will be Doug Lamm and Wayne Hughes.