Billy Kea Davis, a loving Husband, Father, Inspiration, Gideon and Razorback, went to be with Jesus on Sunday, February 20, 2022, at 12:20 pm at the age of 95. Billy was born on January 5, 1927, at Sibley in Webster Parish, Louisiana, and was a long time resident of Crossett, Ashley County, Arkansas.
Billy served in the United States Army Air Force (before the Air Force became a separate branch of the service) as part of the occupation force in Japan at the end of World War II, attaining the rank of Corporal. Honorably Discharged on December 10, 1946, he mustered out at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, with a lapel button and $228.68.
Mom and Dad’s love story began in Magnolia, Arkansas on the campus of Southern State University where they were both students. Dad described Mom as “perfect in every way.” He was encouraged by his Uncle Lake Green who told Dad that Mom was exceptional. Mom and Dad were married in Taylor, Arkansas on August 28, 1949.
Graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Agriculture, Dad always had a garden and shared the fruits of his labor with family, neighbors and friends. Any visitor in their home would leave with a full stomach and a cooler of tomatoes, peas, beans, squash, maybe some butterbeans if the crop produced, onions, garlic, “greens” and corn.
Farming was in his blood and he worked the “Red River bottoms” of Arkansas right after college for a time before working in the oilfields of East Texas and Oklahoma, ultimately moving on to Crossett in 1966 and the Forest Products Industry of South Arkansas. He had assignments in the Crossett Chemical and Paper Complex; Woodland, Maine; Plaquemine, Louisiana; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles and back to Crossett where he retired after a 25 year long career with Georgia-Pacific.
As an active member of the Crossett-Hamburg Camp of Gideons International, Dad led in all aspects of the Gideon Ministry, including the distribution of Bibles locally, providing Gideon Reports for churches across southern Arkansas. He traveled to distribute Bibles in Memphis, New York City and other locations. He has been described by fellow Gideon and friend, Scott Kinard, as “a rock in the Crossett-Hamburg Gideons Camp, a blessing and inspiration to
anyone who knew him.” He was known as “always the Storyteller”…… any subject, any situation and anytime.
Since 1966, in over 45 years as an active member of the First Baptist Church in Crossett, Dad served as Deacon, Usher, in the Jail Ministry, as a Sunday school teacher, in the Nursery and many other areas that allowed him to minister.
Dad’s best friend since the 7th grade, Ken Crain, described Dad as “a winner no matter how you looked at Billy; smart, funny, intelligent. He would help anybody he could.”
Billy is survived by two children and their spouses: Kelly Joel and husband James Hill, and Stephen Kay and wife Marsha Lynn Davis; six grandchildren: Sarah and husband Chris Hall, Jesse Hill, Angela and husband Michael Folmar; Tamara and husband Steven Picou, Heather
and husband Jordan Cagle and Claire Davis; nine great-grandchildren Mason Picou, Olivia Picou, Colton Travers, Jaden Galliano, Zoë Cagle, Brittany and husband Quinton Overdiek, Victoria Folmar, Jocelyn Folmar, Seanessy Folmar; three great-great-grandchildren: Emma
Grace Overdiek, Duffi Travers, and Dayli Travers; a multitude of nieces and nephews, and his best friend since the 7th grade, Ken Crain.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Vivian Arlene Davis; his daughter Vivian Burnette (Viby) Craven; his sisters Vera Sue Flournoy, Dorothy Vanderbilt, and Ruth Cathy; his brothers Henry Davis and Levi Davis; and his grandson Stephen Douglas Davis.
The family appreciates the Nurses, Aides and all staff at Fall Creek Rehabilitation and Health Care for their thoughtful, patient and professional care. Also, Vantage Hospice provided Dad with compassionate hospice care and support.
In lieu of flowers or other commemorative, please consider a contribution to The Gideons International Crossett-Hamburg Camp, 205 Main Street, Crossett, Arkansas 71635 (Phone 870-364-2815)
A Memorial Service will be at 12:00 Noon at Rosewood Funeral Home Atascocita, 17404 West Lake Houston Parkway Humble, TX; followed by internment at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX.