Billy Brooks Stokes was born November 10, 1943, in Des Arc to the late Lloyd and Gladys Stokes.  He passed away March 31, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Brooks married Kay Chesser in July 1964.  He spent his whole life in and around the communities of Des Arc and Biscoe.  Brooks was an all-around outdoorsman, from fishing, frog gigging, deer hunting, hunting and training championship coon dogs, gardening, and riding and breaking horses.  These passions lead to him finding some of his favorite places which were Burnt bayou, the Cache and White Rivers, and Snipe Creek to name a few.  He made sure to pass on his love for the outdoors and animals to his daughter Lynde and his grandchildren, Dillon and Callie.

For many years he could be found farming, and in 1981, he joined the Prairie County Road Department as a motor grader operator where he worked until 2012.  Though he enjoyed all his outdoor activities, his greatest joy was spending time riding his grandchildren around the pastures and teaching them about horses and hunting.  Brooks was known for his colorful humor and social personality.  He enjoyed spending time with many, many people throughout the years and never met a stranger.

Brooks was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Gladys Stokes.  He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kay, his daughter Lynde (JP) Biggs, and grandchildren Dillon (Mallory) Barnes and Callie Biggs and his great granddaughter Blakely Barnes.  He is also survived by his sister Faye McKeon, niece Rhonda Newton and family, as well as a special cousin Dave (Barbara) Hamilton and a host of other cousins.