BILLY RAY JUDKINS
of Little Rock, Ark., died on June 7, 2023, at the age of 93. Son of Eura “Tootsie” Keener Judkins and Archie “Pete” Judkins, Bill was raised with three sisters, Winona, Phyllis and Brenda, on a small dairy farm in Atkins, Ark. Through the foresight and determination of their parents, Bill and all his sisters graduated from college. Bill served in the Air Force in Korea and afterwards completed his college degree at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He was a member and lifelong supporter of the Farmhouse Fraternity. It was in Fayetteville that Billy met the love of his life, Dana Dowell, an aspiring opera singer and music major from New York City. Bill and Dana graduated, married, and moved to Memphis, Tenn., to start his life long career in the life insurance business.
Dana and Bill had two sons, Hunter and Jeffrey, and in 1963 they moved to Little Rock where they raised their family and Bill would eventually form his own life insurance agency. Dana and Bill enjoyed their life in Little Rock for over 50 years, and even after Dana died four years ago, Bill continued to live and work there. Last September Bill moved to the Veterans Nursing Home in Fayetteville to be closer to family where he also enjoyed the company of other veterans. Bill is survived by his sister, Brenda Adams (Doug) of Phoenix, Ariz., his son Hunter (Carole) of Fayetteville, Ark. and Jeffrey (Becky) of Jacksonville, Ore. and five grandchildren – Camille Boswell (Greg) of Fayetteville, Ark., Keaton Cuthbert (Loki) of Bend, Ore., Kiana Judkins of Atlanta, Ga., Hunter Kyle Judkins (Rose Paz) of Rogers, Ark. and Kelsey Carrisoza (Gustavo) of Portland, Ore. Bill is also survived by four great- grandchildren. Bill was an avid Razorback fan, enjoyed golfing, was an enthusiastic supporter of the Farm House Fraternity, and a long time and active member of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in Little Rock. His funeral service will be held at St. Mark’s on Friday, June 30 at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Discretionary Fund. To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com.