of Harrison, AR
May 2, 1933 - September 5, 2015
Billy Ray Coker, age 82 of Harrison, passed away Saturday, September 5, 2015 at Select Specialty Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was born May 2, 1933 in Everton, Arkansas to Audie and Susie Turney Coker.
Bill was a member of Eagle Heights Baptist Church. He served in the US Army during the Korean War and married Betty June Officer on December 25, 1953. Bill was the manager of the Lyric Theater and Ozark Drive-In Theater and worked for Duncan Industries. He served under four sheriffs as a probation officer, criminal investigator, deputy sheriff and bailiff. Bill enjoyed restoring antique cars and loved to make them shine.
Bill is survived by his wife June Coker, of the home; a nephew Gary Myers and his wife Jan; sister-in-law Rose Mary Hodge of Lead Hill; brother-in-law Bill Officer of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and a host of beloved nephews, nieces and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law Bonnie Faye and Virgil Myers; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law: Tom Officer, Charles Hodge, Vi Officer and Ralph and Margaret Blevins.
Visitation was Wednesday, September 9, 2015, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home.
Funeral service was Thursday at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home with Bill's great-nephew, Jordan Cecil, and Reverend Glenn Crenshaw officiating.
Interment was in Maplewood Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Danny Hickman, Keith Cornett, Boyd Massengale, Jack Massengale, Sam Kekaha and Hansel Bradford.
Honorary Pallbearers: Arlis Franklin, Jack Buddy Holt, Bill Doshier, Terry McCutchen, Larry Hankins and J.F. Bogle.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Eagle Heights Baptist Church, Hospice of the Hills, or Gideon International.
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6 Condolence(s)
Sue (Pannell) Mackey
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Our thoughts & Prayers are with you during this time of loss. May time and Cherished Memories give you strength and keep you strong with each new day. May God comfort as only He can do.
Helen Padilla
Friday, September 11, 2015
I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. My thoughts and Prayers are with you as you go on life's way. I will hold many memories of the Coker Reunions we shared through the years with you and Bill. I love you June, Stay strong, God is always there for us.
Love
Helen Padilla
Tabetha Cyr
Thursday, September 10, 2015
So very sorry for your loss, very sweet man and he will be missed. Prayers for your family
Dennis and Carol Copeland
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
June and Family,
Dennis and I are so very sorry for your loss of Bill. He was a fine man. We had a lot of admiration and respect for Him.
The Lyric Theater and Bill just went together. We thought the world of him, and we will cherish so many memories.
Please know that we will always remember Bill very fondly and you are in our thoughts and our prayers.
If there is anything that we can do, please let us know.
Dennis and Carol Copeland
James T. Speak
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Sorry for your loss. I thought the world of him.
Bill Holloway
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
I was the doorman at the Lyric Theater from 1965-1967. Bill Coker was a fair boss who treated all of us well. He dealt with us teenagers in a calm manner and trusted us to do our jobs. His '55 Chevy pickup was his daily driver that he kept in great condition and was his pride and joy.
My condolences to his family.