Loyd D. Healy Jr.

On August 12, Loyd D. Healy, Jr. of Maumelle, AR, passed away at the age of 88. He lived an honorable life and will be missed by all who loved him.

He was born in Romance, AR, on October 3, 1935, the oldest child of Birdie Mae (Watson) Healy and Loyd Delphard Healy. He graduated from North Little Rock High School on May 29, 1953. He married Billie Jean Hobbs on May 13, 1960, and was married to her for almost 60 years until her death in 2020. Loyd's dedication to his family was unwavering, and his love for them was evident in every aspect of his life.

 Loyd's service in the US Army, both in Korea and during the Berlin Wall Crisis, was a testament to his courage and dedication. He graduated from the University of Arkansas on January 20, 1963 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. After college, Loyd worked with the US Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, AL in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Soon thereafter, he worked with NASA on the Saturn and Apollo projects as a systems engineer, in charge of making sure all stages of rocket and space vehicular travel functioned as planned. On September 16, 1965, he and Billie Jean were blessed with the arrival of their only child, Stuart Loyd Healy. 

After a long and accomplished career, he retired in 1996 and moved to Maumelle, where he resided until his death. His most important role thus began as Papa to two grandsons, of whom he was most proud.

He was known to be willing to help anyone at any time and was often not recognized for his generosity and humility. He was honest and could be stubborn, but he was always there when you needed him. He was an exemplary member of the Church of Christ, where sacrificial giving was his legacy. 

Preceded in death by his loving wife Billie Jean, Parents Loyd Delphard and Birdie Mae (Watson) Healy, he is survived by his son Stuart (Linda), grandsons Andrew (Victoria) and Sean, great-grandson Theodore, sisters Glenda Daniel and Pat (David) Brown, sister-in-law Kathleen Cuccia, and numerous nieces and nephews. The world has lost a good man. Heaven has gained a soul.

The family wishes to thank the loving staff at Barnes Health Care and Arkansas Hospice for their care and compassion and LaTory Randle for her special care during the last few years of his life.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, August 19, at 2:00 p.m., preceded by a Visitation Service at 1:00 p.m., at Smith Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, North Little Rock.