William Joseph "Joe Bill" James Sr.

William Joseph "Joe Bill" James Sr., MD, 86, of Pine Bluff passed away Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Born Aug. 31, 1928 in McAlister, Okla., he was the son of the late Joe Felkins and Beulah May Fincher James. He was reared in Clarksville, Ark., graduating from high school in 1945. After attending the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, he graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1949, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1953, earning his MD degree. Dr. James completed his internship at Kansas City General (University of Missouri-Kansas City) in 1954. After serving a year residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Dr. James entered the United States Air Force in 1955. He served as a medical officer for the Strategic Air Command (SAC) 6th Bomb Wing from 1955 to 1957. Thereafter Dr. James completed a Urology Residency at Tulane University, New Orleans 1957 – 1960. On Sept. 25, 1953, Dr. James married Sunshine "Sunny" Cleveland at First Baptist Church in Stamps, Ark. In 1960, he moved his wife and family to Pine Bluff, where he established a practice in urology. In 1970, Dr. James entered a residency in psychiatry at UAMS and Arkansas State Hospital. After completing his psychiatry residency in 1973, he practiced as a staff and medical director of the Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Health Center until his retirement in 1997. Dr. James remained on the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Area Health Education Center (AHEC), Pine Bluff facility from 1973 until his retirement, serving as associate professor of psychiatry until 1999. He received the 1980 Attending Physician of the Year Award from UAMS Area Health Education Center, Pine Bluff. Dr. James had served on numerous committees at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, including the JRMC Board of Directors, also serving as JRMC Medical Chief of Staff. He served as a board member of Jefferson Comprehensive Care Association, was a member of the board of Trinity Village Retirement Center, and was a member of Jefferson County Red Cross Disaster Relief Team. He was also a member of the Arkansas Medical Society, Jefferson County Medical Society. Dr. James served as past president of Arkansas Psychiatric Society, diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a distinguished Life Fellow of American Psychiatric Association. He served in the American Psychiatric Association Assembly of District Branches as an Arkansas Delegate from 1976 until 1992. Dr. James was a National Peer Reviewer for the American Psychiatric Association from 1978 until 1992. He worked part time as a staff psychiatrist since 1997 for Delta Counseling Associates in Monticello, McGehee and Dumas. Dr. James, a lifelong Methodist, was an active member of Lakeside United Methodist Church, where he served as member and past president of the administrative board. He taught the Wedding Ring Sunday School class and participated in other various church related areas for many years. Dr. James was a loving family man; he loved his family, friends and the Razorbacks. He was preceded in death by his parents. Dr. James is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years, Sunny James of Pine Bluff; his children, William Joseph James Jr. (Vicky) of Russellville, Lisa Ann James Gray (Mike) of Fort Smith, Jane Carolyn James Neely (Wayne) of Pine Bluff and Maribeth James Hartsfield of Pine Bluff; his grandchildren, William Joseph "Trey" James III, Jon-Ross James (Allison), Jennifer Gray Terry (Philip), Jordan Gray, Sunni Hartsfield Cottrell (Ben), Kristen Hartsfield Thomas (Clay), Mallori Victoria Hartsfield and Julie Neely Young (Rob); his great-grandchildren, Cru, Saben, Serek and Solan along with a host of friends and colleagues. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, 2015 at Lakeside United Methodist Church, with Rev. Pam Estes officiating by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. at Robinson's. Friends may sign the online register at www.ralphrobinsonandson.com. Memorials may be made to Lakeside United Methodist Church, 1500 Olive Street, Pine Bluff, AR 71603 or the charity of the donor's choice.