Billy Taylor Arment, 79, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Monday, Dec. 19, 2005 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Arment was born on July 22, 1926 in Rector. He graduated from Arkansas State University in 1953 and played offensive and defensive line football. He retired as a football coach and former schoolteacher from Portageville from 1953 to 1957, Caruthersville from 1957 to 1966, Poplar Bluff from 1966 to 1968, Kennett from 1968 to 1975, returning to Poplar Bluff in 1975 before retiring in 1987.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, a member of the Retired Teachers Association, Elk's Lodge and volunteer at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff.

He was a veteran of the United States Army having served in the Philippines and Guam during WWII and the Korean Conflict. He was discharged on Nov. 30, 1946. He enjoyed spending time with his family and as an avid sportsman and outdoorsman, he enjoyed sports as well as hunting and fishing.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Grace Arment of 52 years on Nov. 9, 1998 and a son, Steve Arment in March 2004.

He is survived by three children, John J. Arment of Poplar Bluff, Ann Freeman and husband Kent of Kennett and Janet Kennon of Virginia Beach, Va.; 11 grandchildren, Kathy Wiggins of Webster Groves, Wayne Arment of Poplar Bluff, Greg Arment of Providence, RI, Jeremy Freeman of Cape Girardeau, Grace Freeman of Jonesboro, Eric Arment, Dustin Arment and Kirk Arment, all of Jackson, Tenn., Bill Kennon, Ben Kennon and Courtney Kennon, all of Virginia Beach and five great-grandchildren, Rylee Wiggins of Webster Groves, Clark and George Freeman of Cape Girardeau, Dominick Arment of Providence, RI and William Kennon, Virginia Beach.

Funeral services were Thursday, Dec. 22, 2005 at the First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff with Dr. William Vail officiating. A graveside committal followed at the Nettleton Cemetery in Jonesboro.

Memorial can be made to the First Baptist Church Christian Life Center, 551 North Westwood, Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.