Buford Earl Hand Sr. of Springdale, Ark., age 90, died May 6, 2012, peacefully at home after a long illness. Mr. Hand was born in Fayetteville, Ark., on Feb. 9, 1922, to Earl and Velma Hand. On Jan. 1, 1942, he was united in marriage to Nina Louise Hall, who survives him of the home. Buford was employed with SWEPCO as a serviceman in his hometown of Fayetteville. In 1955, he was named to the position of commercial representative for the division, Buford was named local manager in Eureka Springs in 1965 and was transferred to Greenwood in 1971 in that same position. He returned to Eureka Springs in 1980 to assume manager of that office. He retired from SWEPCO in Eureka Springs after 38 years of service. While living in Fayetteville, Buford was a member of the Exchange Club and of Masonic Lodge #740. He also is a past president of the Eureka Springs Rotary Club. The World War II veteran was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fayetteville. Buford was an avid golfer, sports enthusiast, a member of the Arkansas Activity Association, huge Razorback fan and a very devout family man. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters. He is survived by three children, Buford Hand Jr. and Linda of Prairie Grove, Joyce Hegglund of Eureka Springs, Linda Thurman and husband, Charles, of Eureka Springs; four grandchildren, Charles Hand and wife, Annette, of Cincinnati, Ohio, Robert Bandy and wife, Nikki, of Broken Arrow, Okla., Lt. Cmdr. Tracy L. Hegglund, U.S. Navy, of Chesapeake, Va., and Gayle Bandy of Berryville, Ark.; and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Beard's Funeral Chapel, with Dr. Doug Falknor officiating. Vistiation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Fairview Memorial Gardens In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be made to Washington Regional Friends of Hospice, c/o Washington Regional Foundation, P.O. Box 356, Fayetteville, AR 72702. Online condolences: www.beardsfuneralchapel.com. Published May 8, 2012