of Batesville, AR
April 4, 1978 - February 15, 2015
William Keith Howard was born on Tuesday, April 4, 1978 in Batesville, Arkansas to Joe Howard and Karen Coats Lange. He departed this life on Sunday, February 15, 2015, at the age of 36 years, 10 months, and 11 days of age.
Keith was a 1996 graduate of Batesville High School, and attended Lyon College. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, was an Eagle Scout, enjoyed working with his hands, liked hunting and fishing, and guns and knives. He enjoyed talking to people, and enjoyed debating conversations about many topics, and always wanted to take care of people in any way he could. He brought life every time he walked into the room.
He is survived by his father, Joe Howard of Batesville, his mother and step father, Karen Coats Lange and Steven Lange of Batesville, maternal Grandparents, Bill and Jimmy Lou Liles of Charlotte, brothers, Clint Howard and his wife Amy of Bellevue, Nebraska, Bryan Howard and his wife Ashdon of Batesville, other survivors include nieces and nephews, Andrew, Evan, Julianna, Elizabeth, Samuel and Hattie.
He is preceded in death by his Paternal Grandparents, Lacy and Opal Howard, Maternal Grandfather, William E. Coats, and a half-sister, Candy Watson.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 18, 12:00 p.m. (noon) , at the First Presbyterian Church of Batesville, with Leslie Roper officiating. Burial will follow the service at Shamrock cemetery near Charlotte. Visitation will be Tuesday, February 17, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home in Batesville.
Pallbearers will be Billy Furrow, Jimmie Adams, Clint Howard, Bryan Howard, Kevin Goings, Quentin Ortega. Honorary Pallbearers are Andrew Howard, Evan Howard, Tom Coats and Alex Coats.
Memorials can be made to the First Presbyterian Church Youth Program, 775 E. Boswell, Batesville, Arkansas 72501; Independence County Humane Society, PO Box 3477. Batesville , AR 72501, www.hsicpets.org; Boy Scouts of America, Quapaw Area Council, White River District, 3220 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202 http://www.quapawbsa.org/
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. My heart aches for you all. Sending prayers up for comfort and peace, Love, Susan
I am so sorry to hear of Keith's passing. Thinking of all of his friends and family. Sending you all a giant hug and sincere condolences.
Karen,
I am so sorry to hear this news. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time. Sending you hugs, love and positive thoughts for strength.
Lindy
Karen,
I am so sorry to hear this news. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time. Sending you hugs, love and positive thoughts for strength.
Lindy
Please know the Rigby family is thinking of you during this impossibly hard time. Sending love and prayers.
Karen and family,
I just now heard of Keith's passing. I am so sorry for your loss. Keith was always so nice and polite to me when I would see him and chat with him.I cannot imagine the shoes you are walking in right now. I am praying for peace, comfort and understanding for you all right now and in the days and months ahead. I'm not sure you remember me, but we used to work together some when I was at Southside pre-school. Rebecca Russell came by and worked there too. Love you sweet lady!
Karen,
I am so sorry about your son. I'm thinking of you and your circle of family and friends at this time. Sherry
Keith was the first friend I made when my family moved to Arkansas. He was my first love. He was one of my dearest friends. I will always hold his memories in my heart. He is so greatly missed.
To Keiths family,
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Keith was a wonderful person and a true friend. I had the honor and pleasure of going to HS with him and was so surprised to see him on the UCA campus when I arrived in the fall of '97. I will never forget his smile, his ability to turn anyone's frown upside-down, and his laugh. May you all find peace and comfort in the knowledge that Keith is with God and is smiling upon you all as we speak.
Karen and Joe,
There are no words! Just know that I am thinking of you today and you will be in my prayers in the days ahead.
Karen, i am so very sorry for your loss. God be with you and Joe during this time.
Karen and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine your pain. Please know that you are in my prayers and will be. I am here if you need me.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. I pray that you feel Gods loving arms holding you tight in the months ahead.
Joe I am so sorry for you guys loss if I can do anything let me know
To Bro. Joe, mom and stepdad, brother, sister and Howard family, I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that God' peace and presence sustain and carry each of you through. God bless.
We are so deeply saddened by your devastating loss. Please know you all will be held up in prayers. May the Peace and Comfort of the Lord sustain you through these days and beyond.
Joe and Karen -I can't imagine your loss! No one should ever have to bury a child. I pray God will give you strength and peace to endure this horrible loss of such a young life!
To my loving brother Joe there is no words to express how I feel.To Clint, Brain , Amy and Karen my heart is broken I pray God wraps you all in his arms of love and peace through this all.With all our Love Aunt Trudy and Uncle Teddy .William Keith Howard we loved you and always will you may be gone from this world but never from our hearts.
Karen, Joe, Clint, Bryan and family -
We are so terribly sorry for your lose. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Karen and Bryan,
My heart breaks for you and all the family. Keith was one of my Presby kids that brought joy to those around him. I am so sorry for your loss. I will hiold you in my heart and prayers. Love you both!
I was so upset to hear about Keith. He was an amazing person, and one of the very first people I met with the presbytery. We had so much fun at Triennium and the years after. Karen and Bryan, you will be in our families thoughts and prayers in the coming months! Love you guys!!
I'm sorry Clint and Amy. Our prayers and thoughts of peace for your family.
I knew Keith as one of the most happy-go-lucky guys on the planet. His loss is felt far and wide. To Clint, Amy and all of the family, may He hold you in his hands.
Karen & Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. "God is our refuge and strength". The Lord will get you through this. Praying for you and your family.
Dear Clint & Amy, Sadden to hear of the death of your brother William. Just know others care and are thinking about you.I know it will be hard but with the help of God and your family and friends you will make it. Peace be with you , Love Toni Huss
My deepest sympathy to you all!! My heart breaks for my niece Amanda!! Love, hugs, and prayers to you all!!
Joe, I am so sorry for the loss of your son. I will be praying for God to give you and your family strength to get through the days ahead.
We're saddened to hear of Keith's passing. He was a good guy, and we both have fond memories of him from our Lyon days. Our thoughts and prayers are with his dear loved ones.
My prayers and thoughts are with you.
My heart goes out to you all. May God wrap his loving arms around you all . You are all in my thoughts & prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss. Joe, you and your family will be in my prayers.
My heart goes out to the families that have suffered the loss of such a beloved man. Condolences to the Howard family, especially Joe. I am so sorry for your loss. My The Lord comfort you now and in the future.
Karen and Joe I'm so sorry for your loss. You will be in my prayers...
I love you all!!! 💜 I'm going to miss my sweet cousin, I do already!!! 💜 God be with everyone as those who were closest to you must now be without you!!! 💜 Sending all our love and prayers:Trena, Matt, & Josh Rexroad
Sorry about your loss Keith was a great guy and friend. He will be missed by many. God bless you all
My thoughts are with the Howard family and friends during this time.
Our love and thoughts are with the Howard family in this time of deep sorrow.