Bill M Petty

Bill M. Petty, age 84, of Delight, passed away on January 24 in St. Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Arkadelphia, the son of Charles and Lois Bledsoe Petty.

He loved horses and roped and rode bulls at area rodeos. In his late teens he showed cutting horses and later quarter horses at halter. The Rocking U Rodeo Club arena was built on his father’s land and he was a charter member of the Club.

After moving to the Bowen Community in 1965 he farmed soybeans, milo, and some corn for many years while raising cattle and horses. He was very proud of the improvements he made in his cattle herd becoming one of he first breeders of Limousin cattle in the area. He became a charter member of the South Arkansas Limousin Association and a member of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assn.

Being proud of his farming avocation, he served on the USDA – Farm Service Agency for 45 years, many of those as county chairman. He also served on the Pike County Equalization Board.

He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Joe Ed Petty (Barbara) and J.L. Petty (Marilyn), brother-in-law Ronny Antonacci, nephews Scott Antonacci and Jim Petty.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 60 years, Avonne; his son Mike and wife Lisa Petty; daughter Susan Dodson and husband Keith of Magnolia; four grandchildren, Kyle Petty (Nicole), Kolt Petty, Emily Dodson, and Anna Dodson. Two great grandsons who loved their Pop Pop dearly: James and Morgan Petty, his cow dog Katie, sisters, Ruth Antonacci, and Carolyn and Louis Shoffner; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 27, at Latimer Funeral Home in Murfreesboro.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 27, at Latimer Funeral Home in Murfreesboro with Leon McKinnon officiating, a private family burial will be held following the service at Bowen Cemetery, under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home in Murfreesboro.

You may send an online sympathy message at www.latimerfuneralhome.com