Willie Ray "Billy" Reese, 68, of Harrisburg passed away on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005 at the family residence in Harrisburg of natural causes.

He was born in Trumann and had lived most of his life in the Harrisburg and Trumann area. He was a retired deputy sheriff for Poinsett County and school bus driver for the Weiner School district, veteran of the US Army serving in the Korean War and of the Pentecostal faith.

He was preceded in death by one great-grandson, Joshua Knight; three sisters, Edna Reese, Mae Reese and Dortha Condra Holmes and hi parents, Elmer and Verda Ruby Blunt Reese.

He is survived by his wife, Sallie Mae Reese of the home; three sons, Elmer Ray Reese of Ferriday, La., Robert "Bubba" Lee Reese and Michael Lynn Reese, both of Trumann; two brothers, Clarence Darrel Reese and Lloyd Franklin Reese both of Trumann; 13 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 10, 2005 in the chapel of Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann with Rev. Harles Banks officiating. Burial followed at Pine Hill Cemetery in Jonesboro.

Active pallbearers were Doyle Hillis, Robby Winingham, Roy Drum, Roger Drum, Bob Chander and Sherman Drum. Honorary pallbearers were Harrisburg Quorum Court, Cy Phillips, JR Criner, Gerald Crawford, Jordan Reese and Johnnie Ray Reese.

Memorial can be made to the Holly Springs Jesus Name Pentecostal Church.