Mr. Billy Joe Ferguson, age 87 of Des Arc, passed away Friday, January 7 at Springhill Baptist Hospital in North Little Rock. Tuesday, July 10, 1934, was a very special day in the lives of Sherman and Ola (Patterson) Ferguson with the birth of their 3 ^rd son, Billy Joe.

Growing up in the rural farming area of Prairie County, Arkansas, Billy developed a love for the outdoors at an early age and became an avid fisherman and hunter . . . coon, squirrel, ducks, deer; with coon hunting being his favorite.  He received his education thru Des Arc Public Schools and continued on to serve 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. His time in the service was overseas, where he was stationed in Germany.

Bill worked most of his adult life as an electrician for Electricians Local Union 295. In his off time, he spent his time fishing and hunting. His second occupation was raising and selling coon and squirrel dogs. He enjoyed attending local and national hunting dog events and found many hours of pleasure hunting with his many friends. His Saturday morning activity was going to the Beebe Flea Market and hanging out on "dog row".

For the past three years, Bill has made his home at Stonebridge Senior Living center at Cabot. During his time there he made many new friends and the staff said, "he always made everyone's day better with his good sense of humor and storytelling."

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Houston and James. Survivors include his son, Wesley of Fort Smith; Daughter, Laura Sarandal; Grandchildren, River Boydston and Atilla Sarandal of Olathe, KS; Brothers, Donald (Lvonne) Ferguson of West Virginia, Ralph (Susan) Ferguson of El Paso, AR, and Raymond Ferguson of Hazen; sister-in-law, Bess Ferguson of Fayetteville, as well as his nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation of Bill will be Tuesday, January 11, from 12PM to 2PM, with funeral service at 2 at Garth Funeral Home at Des Arc. Burial will follow at Johnson Chapel Cemetery.