Billy Don Wilson

Billy Don Wilson, age 88, of Glenwood, passed away on Wednesday, July 6, 2022.

He was born on September 3, 1933, in Delight, the son of Byron and Connie Wilson.  On May 9, 1958, he was married to the true love of his life, Amanda Ann Black.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and his two sisters, Martha Sue Steed and Genevieve Simpkins.

Bill was a 1951 graduate of Delight High School.  Following high school, Bill joined the United States Navy, having served from September, 1951 until September, 1955.  For over three years he was at sea on the Rowlett where he was the dispensary clerk in charge of payroll and in March of 1955, he was assigned to Corpus Christi, Texas as payroll clerk for the Blue Angels, the Navy’s Arial Exhibition teams.  Following his service time, he decided to further his education and in 1959, Bill graduated from Henderson State Teachers College, where he received a degree in Mathematics.  He worked at East Texas State College and Louisiana State University and taught Mathematics at Gillett High School for two years before joining Arkansas Power and Light.

On January 7, 1965, Bill began working for Arkansas Power and Light in Stuttgart, as the assistant to the local manager.  In 1969, he was promoted to be in charge of the Heber Springs offices, and in 1974, he was then chosen to head the AP&L offices in Glenwood, where he would remain until his retirement on March 1, 1993. 

While Bill and Amanda resided in Heber Springs, Bill became the President of the Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce and President of the Cleburne County Youth Council.  One of Bill’s proudest accomplishments was teaching summer swimming lessons to children in Stuttgart, thru his position as the Kiwanis Club Treasurer.  From the very beginning of Bill starting a family, his main ambition was for each of his children to obtain a college education, which became a reality through all of his hard work and many sacrifices.

In his younger years, Bill enjoyed playing golf, traveling with Amanda all across the USA; loved raising his cows and horses; and enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He and Amanda attended the United Methodist Church of Glenwood.  Bill was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, who loved babies and little children, especially when he was spending time with his grandchildren.  He was truly loved by his family and friends and will be deeply missed by all.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Amanda Wilson of Glenwood; his son and daughter-in-law, Shawn and Carmen Wilson of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; two daughters and one son-in-law, Cindy and Lindsey Boyer and Valerie Bryant, all of Benton; his grandchildren, Jarrod and Wilson Hunt, Lauren Holt and her husband, Tristan, Courtney Holliday and her husband, John, Faith Wilson, Grace and Kinsey Bryant; his great-granddaughter, Rosalee Holt; his sister, Mary Lou Mauldin of Little Rock; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and a host of wonderful friends.

A public visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM, Friday, July 8, 2022, with immediately following a Celebration of Bill’s life and military honors presented by the United State Navy Honors Team in the Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel in Glenwood.

Guest registry is at www.smithfamilycares.com.