Billy K. Berry

Billy K. Berry, age 87, of Dardanelle, died Thursday, June 28, 2012 at Chambers Memorial Hospital in Danville. He was born Nov. 3, 1924 at Dover, Ark. He was the son of the late Floyd Ellis Berry and the late Ruth Susie Eudy Berry. As patriarch of the Berry and Eudy Clans, he was preceded in death by a son, Tim Allen Berry, who died in 1969, a brother, Jack Ellis Berry and a sister, Bernice Hottinger. He was a graduate of Dover High School. During WWII, Bill's B17 was shot down and he was injured on his second mission, but went on to complete 35 bombing missions over Germany. After the war, he earned an associate of Arts Degree from Arkansas Polytechnic College (now ATU) and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy from the University of Oklahoma in Norman. He began his career a pharmacist and store manager for Walgreens before coming to Dardanelle in 1957 where he started Berry Drug Store. Berry Drug very quickly became a household name and a meeting place in the area. He was a member of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Lorayne Bacus Berry, two sons, Dr. William Lewis Berry (Donna) of Danville and Dr. Bruce Ellis Berry (Kim) of Greenville, Tenn., grandchildren, Will Berry and Anne Goemeer (Lee) of Russellville, Phil Berry (Heather) of Little Rock, Laurie Berry, Mattie Berry, Tim Berry and David Berry all of Danville, B.J., Harrison, Kayla and Laura Berry all of Greenville, Tenn. and numerous nephews and nieces. Services will be 2 p.m., Sunday, July 1, 2012 at Cornwell Chapel in Dardanelle. Burial will be in Brearley Cemetery, Dardanelle. Visitation will be Saturday, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the chapel. Arrangements by Cornwell Funeral Home, Dardanelle. Online guest book and condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com.