Walnut Ridge- Billy Ray George, 87, of Walnut Ridge, formerly of Jonesboro passed away Saturday, July 25, 2020 at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro.  He was born July 23, 1933 in the Lake City area to Page and Ida Minick George.  He worked for Pure Oil for five years and worked for Canal Barge Company for thirty-four years.  He enjoyed fishing and camping, country music, and spending time with his family.  Billy moved to Mountain View in 1995 and enjoyed twenty-one years there, where he made many friends.  Billy was of the church of Christ belief.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Darlene George; brother, T.J. (T-Bone) George; sisters, Emogene Hugg and Wayne Parker.

Survivors include his wife, Lavon McGough George, of 59 years, of the home; one sister, Pat Riviere of Huntsville, Alabama; two sons, Gary George (Linda) of Powhatan and Glenn George of Florida; two daughters, Vickie Lewis (Reggie) of Hardy and Karen Cremeens (Gary) of Paragould; grandchildren, Laura Pierce (Wesley) of Jonesboro, Misty Shearin (Mike) of Ennis Texas, Stephanie Thatch (Anthony) of Ravenden Springs, Alexia MaHaffey (Jimmy) of Ravenden, Carla Mills (Jhay) of Harrisburg, Scott Cremeens (Sadie) of Paragould, Ashley Durham (Andy) of Lynn, Bradley George of Cash, Breanna George and Marshal George, both of Florida; seventeen great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 29, 2020 from 10 until 11 a.m. at Cox Funeral Home in Walnut Ridge.  Funeral will follow immediately at 11 a.m. with Gary Cremeens officiating.  Interment will follow in Lawrence Memorial Park in Walnut Ridge.

Due to Covid-19 guidelines, masks and social distancing are required.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Scott Cremeens, Jhay Mills, Anthony Thatch, Jimmy MaHaffey, Wesley Pierce, Bradley George, and Andy Durham.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Children's Home, Inc in Paragould, The ALS foundation, or St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, or Lawrence Memorial Park in Walnut Ridge.