Ray Echols

Ray Anthony “Tony” Echols, 60, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away August 30, 2020. He was born July 19, 1960 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Peggy (Burgess) Echols-Allday and the late William Ray Echols. Tony was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and was well versed in the Bible. He was a project manager in many commercial building projects and assisted his family’s business, Echols Waterproofing Company. Tony oversaw the construction of some of the buildings at Hendrix College. He enjoyed spending time outdoors fishing, deer hunting, and visiting friends at the deer camps. Some of his favorite hunting trips were in Colorado with his father. Tony was redneck to the core. He wore Stetson cowboy hats and loved trucks, four wheelers, and 4x4’s. Tony was very proud of his son Coty “Toad” and loved him dearly. Preceding Tony in death are his father, William Ray Echols; sister, Deborah Kaye Echols; step-father, Gerry Allday; grandparents: Eunice and Ed Burgess and Helen Echols-McClain and Ray Echols; and uncles: William Edwin Echols, Pat Burgess and Phillip Burgess. Tony leaves behind his mother, Peggy Echols-Allday of Alexander, Arkansas; two sons: Coty Echols of Mayflower, Arkansas and Jordan Graves of Arkansas ; two uncles: Paul Burgess and wife Sandy of Mulberry, Arkansas and Morris McClain of Batesville, Arkansas; two aunts: Erma Burgess of Conway, Arkansas and Virginia Burgess of Little Rock; and many family members and friends who love Tony and will miss him always. Memorial service, officiated by Bro. Stan Payne, will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, September 4 at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market Street, Benton, Arkansas. Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.