BILLY RAY “BILL” BROWN

Billy Ray “Bill” Brown, 87, of Ashdown, AR passed away March 24, 2023 in a local hospital. Bill was born November 3, 1935 to Vernice Charley “Red” and Maxine Brockman Brown in Bodcaw, AR. He was the oldest of four children. He moved to Ashdown, AR in 1971 where he achieved his dream of opening the Bank of Ashdown. He was a successful businessman who owned and operated Millwood Country Club, Yarbrough Landing and Millwood Housing. He loved to relax by playing golf and was an avid fisherman. As a man of deep Christian faith, Bill belonged to First Baptist Church of Ashdown and later practiced his faith at Richmond Methodist Church. Bill is preceded in death by his parents Charley and Maxine Brown and two sisters and one brother-in-law, Peggy & Billy Mac Russell and Nancy Burke. He is survived by his wife Dianne Brown of Ashdown, AR; two loving daughters, Kandi & Dennis Greene of Hot Springs, AR and Kim Brown of Fayetteville, AR; two stepsons, Jeff & Kristi Corbell of Ben Lomond, AR and Larry Bonnette of South Louisiana; one brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Betty Brown of Bodcaw, AR; five grandchildren, Pate & Haley Easterling of Texarkana, Tanner Halliburton of Fort Worth, TX, Kadie Easterling & Steven of Ashdown, AR, Lyndi & Robert Blanton of Yarbrough Landing and Kaitlyn & Matthew Finigan of Charleston, SC; three great grandchildren; Rylie Rae Fyock, Alvae Easterling and Charli Cranor; two step great grandchildren, Bailey & Berkley Blanton; a lifelong friend, Robert Dennis and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on April 22, 2023. Time and Place to be determined. The family requests that memorials be made to the Richmond Methodist Church.