of Bee Branch, AR
September 30, 1929 - April 4, 2024
Billy Ray Rogers, 94, of Bee Branch was born to the late Joe Alvin Rogers, age 43 and Ida Cossey Rogers, age 37. He was the 9th of 10 children.
Billy is preceded in death by parents; his brothers and sisters, William H. Rogers, Ruth (Rogers) Hutchinson, Luther I. Rogers, Pearl (Rogers) Baty, Jeweline (Rogers) Rosbury, Jim E. Rogers, Alma (Rogers) Lopez, Wendell C. Rogers, Minnie (Rogers) Tillman; stepson, John McElory and granddaughter, Julia R. Davis.
Billy grew up on the family farm until joining the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed in China when the Korean War broke out. He returned from the war as a 1st Sergeant. After coming home from the war, he married Bonnie Lee Graham and moved to Wichita, Kansas where he found employment with Cessna Aircraft Company. Billy and Bonnie had two children, Debra and David. In 1978, Billy married Mary Munday and continued to work for Cessna, retiring after more than 30 years of employment. He and Mary moved to Bee Branch, Arkansas where they stayed involved in the community doing volunteer work for the Ozark Health Medical Center and at the Van Buren County Museum. Billy was also a member of the VFW and the Masons. He was a sports enthusiast following local and national teams. When he was still working, he was an avid golfer in the summer and bowler in the winter months.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary; children, David Ray Rogers, Debbie Davis and husband, David; grandchildren, Michelle Clark, Julia Davis, Justin Davis; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Nikolas, Brooke, Braden, Logan, Evan and a host of extended family and friends.
There will be a funeral service for Billy on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at the Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Clinton, Arkansas.
To express online condolences please visit www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/clinton
Billy also volunteered at the Damascus Senior Center where he and Mary met with friends for lunch. Billy was an active participant of the senior center until the day Jesus took him home. Thank-you for your lifelong service to your country and community!
Mrs. Mary, so sorry for your loss. Blessings to you and your family.
Billy I know you in my spend my care really good friends and now you're both up there probably talking Sports together or you're trying to explain to Mike what football and baseball the difference is. I love you and Mary with all my heart you are totally missed.
Mr. Billy was truly a strong man of faith. Unshakable and always greeting you with a smile. I am honored to have know him. Many prayers to the family as they move forward.
Mary, I'm so sorry to hear of Billy's passing. May God be with you and the family. I remember lots of fun times working with you and Billy in Ozark Hospital Auxiliary. Love and prayers, Deanna Fell
Mary, Toney and I are sorry for your loss! God bless all of you and give you peace!
Debbie, David, and Mary, I am sending you my deepest sympathies and wishing you peace and comfort during this difficult time. Uncle Billy was a great man and will be missed. He had such an awesome laugh that would always make me smile when they had the Rogers siblings all together. You all are in my prayers.
We are all so sorry for your loss. We all loved Uncle Billy and will miss him. You are all in our prayers and thoughts.
Debbie and family. So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sue Lewis
I will so much miss Billy sitting in front of me in church; he was a ray of sunshine and always had a smile on his face. Mary and his children are in my prayers.