Obituaries

Billy Joe Holder

Photo of Billy  Joe Holder
Billy Joe Holder, age 76, of Crossett, Arkansas, passed away on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at home – losing his battle with cancer. He was born on October 11, 1937 in Louisville, Mississippi, to the late Mary Hisaw Holder and Joe Love Holder. He was also preceded in death by his son, Christopher Woods Holder. After graduation from Crossett High School in 1955, Holder attended Delta State in Cleveland, Mississippi and University of Arkansas in Monticello, Arkansas. His life's work was with International Paper Company in Bastrop, Louisiana, and with Georgia Pacific in Crossett, Arkansas. He retired from Georgia Pacific in 1996. Holder was an active outdoors person who enjoyed fishing and hunting with friends. One of his favorite places to relax was Jersey Deer Camp. Another lifetime pleasure was enjoying friend, Barry Switzer's career in football. His selflessness was never shown more vividly than being the primary caregiver of his son, Chris, as Chris battled with rheumatoid arthritis. Holder is survived by his wife of 24 years, Margaret McGoogan Holder, and an uncle, Sherrill Hisaw of Crossett. He will be missed by his lifetime friend, Barry Switzer of Norman, Oklahoma, his extended family: Bryan K. Runyan and wife, Mary and children of Alexandria, Louisiana, Annetta R. Smith and husband, Jeremy of Maumelle, Arkansas, John W. Runyan of Monroe, Louisiana, John E. McGoogan and family of Lafayette, Colorado, and Marsha Richards (Holder) Herrick – his son, Chris' mother, and many friends. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, October 2, 2014, at First United Methodist Church of Crossett with Reverend Russell Moore officiating. He was baptized into the Freewill Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Crossroads Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Crossett, Ark. (www.jonesservice.com). Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Jones Funeral Home. Honorary Pallbearers: Special friends: Barry Switzer, Larry Black, and Bill Boyer, and his classmates from Crossett High School 1955. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Crossett, the Crossett Area Food Pantry or a charity of your choice.

Published October 1, 2014

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