William "Bill" Jay

William J. (Bill) Jay, age 67, of Benton, joined hands with Jesus on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011. Bill was born in Newton, Miss. on June 23, 1944 to Daniel and Lillie Adams Jay, who preceded him in death along with brother, Dan Jay Jr. and one nephew, Jay Starnes. Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Frances Jay of Benton; daughter and son-in-law, Starla and Greg Morgan; two grandsons, Garrett and Eli Morgan of Alexander; two sisters, Elaine Starnes of Chalmette, La. and Lillian Hardwell and her husband Johnny of Braxton, Miss.; four nephews and five nieces. Bill worked for the United States Department of Agriculture for 31 years. He worked his way from egg grader, poultry grades, egg products grader to be regional director for egg products, covering 10 states and Puerto Rico. Bill was a member of Spring Creek Missionary Baptist Church. Because of his generosity of purchasing shoes for needy children, he became lovingly known as "the shoe angel" at Harmony Grove Schools. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012 at Ashby Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 2, 2012 at Ashby Funeral Home with burial at Forest Hills Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff at Baptist Memorial Hospital at Little Rock, the Heart Clinic, and especially the nurses and caregivers of the ninth floor, CVICU, CCU and the rehab center. Their care of Bill was not only excellent but the care and prayers that were given to the family were greatly appreciated. We would also like to thank the staff at Bishop Park for "cheering him on" as he tried to improve his health. On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.