Billy Joe Durham, 81, a lifelong resident of Harrisburg departed this life for his eternal home on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at St. Bernard Medical Hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
He was born on October 14, 1940, at Verser’s Clinic, the last son born to Marshall Ray and Hattie Agnes (Flanigan) Durham. The Durham family lived at Greenfield on their farm and Billy Joe lived there all his growing up years until he married Shearlene Neal on August 4, 1961, and they moved to town in Harrisburg, they have enjoyed sixty-one years of marriage.
His parents preceded him in death, one brother, John Marshall Durham and one granddaughter, Cara Ashlyn who bypassed Earth and went straight to Heaven on April 16, 1998.
He served his country in the Arkansas National Guard from 1962 to 1968 ending with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He worked at Johansen Shoe Mfg. Company some 28 years, Comet Rice Mill two different times, and Baldwin Piano in Trumann before retiring completely. He is an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Harrisburg since 1961 and has served in many positions: youth leader, Sunday School teacher, Church Training Director, and would do whatever he was asked to do. He loved the Lord and his church family. Airplanes were his next love even as a young boy you could find him whittling out little planes. As a young adult, the love continued and he took lessons and learned how to fly and received his Student Pilot license and continued until he conquered the testing and hours to receive his Commercial licenses something he was very proud of. Making airplanes from scratch was a hobby he continued even until last week finishing his last one, if you do not have a homemade airplane then you just didn’t ask for one.
He is survived by his wife, Shearlene of the home in Harrisburg, one daughter, Angelia Durham and one soon to be son-in-law, J. R. Riley also of Harrisburg, one brother, James Ray Durham of Michigan, one sister, Gearldine Jennings of Tennessee, one grandson, Ulric Payne Graham and wife Ashley and expecting a great-grandchild this September also of Harrisburg, and a group of nieces and nephews that loved him greatly.
Visitation will be Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Jackson’s Funeral Home Chapel from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The funeral service will be Sunday, February 13, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Bro. Robby Shearon, Bro. Gary Brown, and Bro. Larry White will conduct the service. Bill’s “Flying Buddies” will serve as Active Pallbearers and the men of Calvary Baptist Church will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.
Interment will be in Harrisburg Memorial Park and arrangements will be handled by Jackson’s Funeral Home. Memorials may be sent to Calvary Baptist Church 503 S. Illinois St. for shipping Samaritan Shoe Boxes Operation Christmas Childcare Harrisburg, Arkansas 72432.
