William “Billy” Harrison Steward was born July 6, 1930, to Martin Daniel and Estella Pearl (Grady) Steward in Jackson County Arkansas.
Steward died on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at White River Medical Center in Batesville, Arkansas of COVID-19.
He was an Army Veteran of the Baptist belief. He enjoyed reading western books, farming, and taking care of his goats. He was a worker and was always working on something.
Billy was preceded in death by both his parents and all of his siblings; Martin Daniel “M.D.” Steward Jr., Marvin Steward, and wife Frankie, Alberta, and husband Bobby Tucker, Captola and husband Bobby Sullivan, Leora Steward.
He lost the love of his life, Arita ‘Rita’ (Paysinger) on June 13, 2000. He also was preceded in death by his grandson, Jeffrey Harrison Steward on April 20, 2019.
Billy is survived by his sons; William Martin and his wife Andrea Steward of Oil Trough, Marvin Daniel, and his wife Wendy Steward of Yuma, Arizona. He is also survived by his grandson; Shelby Steward of Oil Trough, his bonus grandson; Taylor Peterson, and his life partner Samantha Runnels of Boulder, Colorado.
On Christmas, Billy had his first Zoom meeting in which he got to meet his great-granddaughters, Erin and Skye. They are daughters of his bonus granddaughter, Latasha Bybee of Blackfoot, Idaho. He is survived by a special friend, Truvetta Everidge of the Post Oakes Community.
Pallbearers are Jessie Williford, Greg Cathey, Ryan Weaver, Allen Epperson, Ronny Armstrong, and Steven Armstrong. Honorary Pallbearers are Justin Rutledge, Sam Ed Simmons, Jim Ray Williford, and Tim Everidge.
The service will be Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Dillinger Funeral Home. Visitation will be Saturday from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. in the chapel. Burial will be in Coffeyville cemetery.
