Walter R. Sauser, 98, of Jonesboro, passed away Monday, January 19, 2026, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital. He was born October 31, 1927, in the Rose Hill community outside of Thayer, Missouri, to the late Ernest and Pearl Elizabeth Sauser.

Walter graduated from Thayer High School and attended the University of Missouri. After graduating from high school, he worked the Great Plains wheat harvest, starting in Kansas and traveling through several states within 20 miles of Canada. He later taught agriculture to WWII veterans in Salem, Arkansas. While living in Salem, he met Jackie Craft by chance in Hardy. They were married in 1950. In 1952, they moved to Truman, where they built a Dairy King.

In 1954, Walter and Jackie purchased Craft Mercantile in Bono, later renamed Sauser Mercantile. In 1964, Walter owned and operated the Bono Lime Company with his brother-in-law, K.O. Gibson, and was also co-owner of the Bono Gin Company. That same year, he began farming in the Knobel and Cache Lake areas. Walter served as a school board member for Bono during its formation of Westside Schools.

Walter was a faithful member of the Bono Church of Christ. His main priority was providing for his family. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, spending time at Norfork Lake, reading, and studying history. He was an avid ASU sports fan and a strong supporter of education and local sports. Walter’s motto was, “Work hard and play hard.”

In addition to his parents, Walter was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Jackie Craft Sauser; sisters, Grace Mainprize and Evelyn Fugitt; and a grandson, Benjamin Wilson.

Survivors include his son, Tony (Judy) Sauser of Bono; daughter, Jennifer (Lester) Wilson of Jonesboro; sister, Liz Minton of Bono; four grandchildren, Courtney (Brian) French of Jonesboro, Dr. Cody (Sarah) Sauser of Bono, Samantha Wilson of Jonesboro, and Dr. Rachel (Dr. Andrew) Duck of Fayetteville; seven great-grandchildren, Will French, Jack French, Lacey French, and Charlee Wilson of Jonesboro, and Jacob Sauser, Levi Sauser, and Katie Sauser of Bono; and one great-great-granddaughter, Mary Collins French of Jonesboro.

A graveside service will be Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Cemetery with Bro. Richard Akins officiating. Pallbearers will be Cody Sauser, Jacob Sauser, Levi Sauser, Brian French, Will French, and Jack French.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Bono Church of Christ Food Pantry, Backpack Program, or Special Member Assistance Fund, 101 Craftsbury, Bono, AR 72416.