of West Memphis, AR

December 28, 1927 - March 5, 2022

Billy Joe Felty, 94, of Paragould, AR went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 5, 2022. He was formerly of West Memphis, AR and Henderson, AR. Bill is leaving behind a host of family and friends, along with many acquaintances as he led a life of public service.

Bill was born on December 28, 1927, in O'Kean, AR to Joseph and Bessie (Allison) Felty. One of nine children, he grew up in a close-knit family in the small farming community of Stanford. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carolyn Joan (Harris) Felty, his parents, his brothers Harold, Bonnie, Vernon, John and Max, sister Wanda Rogers. Bill is survived by his two daughters, Dianne (William) Person, Gail (Jack) Poff. Six grandchildren; Barrett Person (Laura), Kristen Person Bernard, Jack Poff Jr (Molly), Justin Poff (Clair), Elizabeth Poff Gross (Johnathan) and Christopher Poff (Laura Ladd). Also, his great grandchildren, Caroline Bernard, Will Bernard, Jackson Poff, Mary Ellis Person, Hadley Gross, Stella Gross, Rhett Poff, Etta Poff, Clarke Poff and McLaine Poff. He also leaves a brother JM (JoAnn) Felty of Brevard, NC and a sister Mary May (Jackie) of Paragould.

Bill graduated from Stanford High School, then joined the service as an Army Signal Corp stationed at the White House where he would greet President Truman daily and the President knew him by name. After the service, Bill returned to his hometown Paragould, and met the love of his life, Joan. They started their family as he attended Arkansas State on his GI Bill and earned his Engineering degree. Bill and Joan moved their girls to West Memphis in 1959 as he began his career as an engineer with the St. Francis Levee and Drainage District of Arkansas. Shortly thereafter he became a member of the engineering committee of the Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association, serving two terms each as the committee's secretary and vice chairman, and was named Chairman in 1982 and 1984. In 1989, Felty was promoted to Chief Engineer of the District and oversaw 160 miles of main line Mississippi River Levee and 70 miles of interior levee in the district. He worked in Flood control for 43 years and managed 7 counties in Eastern Arkansas in the Mississippi Flood Basin. His work in this capacity earned him the Army Commander's Award for Public Service, the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, the Army Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal, and a Plaque for Dedicated and Devoted service. He served as Chief Engineer until his retirement which was celebrated on July 25, 2000 by his dear friend former US Representative Marion Berry reading a statement into the Congressional record. Bill loved his time at the Levee District and could recall flood levels from any date that you asked him.

Bill was a past President and member of the West Memphis Jaycee's where he was instrumental in getting the Polio vaccine to Crittenden County, a founding member of the J.W. Rich Girls Club devoting many hours to making their softball fields, the Chairman of the Board of Adjustments, the Arkansas Society of Professional Surveyors, a member of the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce and was an active member of the First Baptist Church in West Memphis.

When not at the office Bill enjoyed spending time at the lake, teaching his siblings, nieces, nephews, daughters and their friends, and even his grandchildren and all of their friends how to water ski. It was said he wouldn't let you back in the boat until you were up and skiing. Bill last water skied when he was 71.

After the loss of his wife, Bill moved to enjoy the lake life at Henderson, AR. He was the self-appointed ''Mayor of Henderson '', where he enjoyed meeting friends daily for coffee at the community firehouse. During this time, he was able to reconnect with and experience love again with his special friend, Vera Fielder. They enjoyed each other's company while traveling, especially along the entirety of the Mississippi River. Bill lived independently until he lost his eyesight in 2015. At that point, he moved back to what he described as ''God's Country'' in Greene County. He has lived his last years at the Chateau on The Ridge where he made many new friends. Special thanks to Melissa, Amanda, Debbie, Craig, and Tiffany and all the staff of The Chateau for loving and taking care of him.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home
201 North Pine Street
West Memphis, AR  72303
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com