Billy Ray Crisp

Billy Ray Crisp, age 85, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, after a lengthy struggle with COPD. He was born December 28, 1927 in Marvell, Arkansas, to the late Wiley and Ruby Pate Crisp. He was a Boy Scout. At Marvell High School he excelled in sports and was afforded full scholarships to play football or basketball at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Instead, he chose to join the Navy at age 17. After his tour of duty in the Pacific and Alaska and his discharge, he enrolled at Arkansas College (now Lyons) in Batesville, Arkansas. While there, he met his future wife, Sara Wright, a Batesville native and classmate. They were married June 18, 1952 at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Edward Wright. He worked for Lance, Inc., and then established his own wholesale candy business, B.R. Crisp Candy Company in May of 1954, and later added cigarette vending. He was a member of Marvell United Methodist Church, where at times he was Sunday School Superintendent, a member of the Administrative Board and men's Sunday school class. Mr. Crisp retired in the early 2000's and they moved to Woodland Heights in Little Rock on February 15, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Sara; two sons, Master Sgt. (USAF Retired) Bill Crisp Jr. and his wife Sandi of San Antonio, Texas and Hugh E. Crisp of Little Rock; granddaughter, Christina Buch and her husband Paul; two great-grandchildren, Miss Paisley Buch and Master Pauly Buch of La Grange, Georgia. Mr. Crisp was preceded in death by his father, Wiley Crisp and mother, Ruby Weir, an infant brother, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Green Pate and Mr. and Mrs. Wiley Crisp. Mr. Crisp's family would like to express a heartfelt thank-you to Dr. Robert Searcy, his pulmonary doctor, Dr. Mary Searcy, his comfort doctor, and Brooke Seago, Dr. Searcy's Nurse Practitioner, and all the caring personnel at Briarwood Rehabilitation Center. Mr. Crisp requested his body be cremated. There will be no funeral. Memorials may be sent to Marvell United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 669, Marvell, Arkansas 72366. Arrangements are by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Arkansas, (501) 224-8300. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.