Billy Gene Killian

Of Calico Rock, Arkansas

Billy Gene Killian, son of the late George Garland Killian and Lois Verlee Sexton Killian, was born October 1, 1938 in Chessmond, Arkansas. He departed this life December 24, 2020 in Calico Rock, Arkansas at the age of 82 years, 2 months and 23 days. He was a lifelong resident of Izard County and a 1957 graduate of Calico Rock High School. After graduation he went to Oklahoma to work at Shawnee Flour Mill, returning to Calico to marry Johnnie Powell. Bill worked with his father at Killian and Son Feed and Fertilizer, for many years. He enjoyed working on his farm raising cattle and pigs. After closing the feed store, he went to work for the Arkansas Department of Corrections at the Northcentral Unit in Calico Rock, retiring after many years of employment. Bill spent his life as a loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, provider and friend. Bill enjoyed working with the public and was active in his community. He served ten years on the Calico Rock School Board. In addition, he was a city councilman, Cumberland Presbyterian Session Elder, and sat on the board of Roselawn Cemetery. He was a proud member of Acacia Masonic Lodge #625.  He was of the Presbyterian faith and a member of Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He maintained a lifetime hobby of hunting, fishing, and reading western novels.

He is survived by two children: Stephen Powell Killian of Calico Rock, Genna Gaye Killian Nave and husband Leland of Pineville; one sister: Barbara Kaye Hester of Calico Rock; two sisters in-law: Florence Smith Killian (Bobby Lee) of Calico Rock, Sammie Powell Givens (Bill) of Mount Pleasant; the six grandchildren: Reannon Nave Russell (Joe) of Melbourne, Rachel Nave Jones (Jeff) of Jonesboro, Samuel Hayes Nave (Blazi) of Stephenville, Texas, Shelbi Killian Kautzsch (Shawn) of Pinedale, Wyoming, Josie Powell Killian of Fayetteville and Tess Payton Killian of Kennett, Missouri; seven great grandchildren: Ashlynn, Roper, Legend, and Summer Jones of Jonesboro and Camden, Dawson, and Jaden Kautzsch of Pinedale, Wyoming, and a host of other relatives and many good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 63 years: Johnnie Killian; one brother: Bobby Lee Killian; one brother in law: Bill Givens.

Visitation and funeral service will be Sunday, December 27 at Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be from 2-3 p.m. Funeral service will begin at 3:00 p.m. Burial will be at Roselawn Cemetery in Calico Rock.  Arrangements by Eddie's Family Funeral Home in Calico Rock.

Memorials may be made to: Roselawn Cemetery Maintenance Fund, C/O Calico Rock City Hall, P. O. Box 370, Calico Rock, Arkansas 72519 or Acacia Masonic Lodge #625.

Pallbearers: Jim Moser, Kelly Hatman, Leland Nave, Sam Nave, Joe Russell, Jeff Jones.

Honorary Pallbearers: Shawn Kautzsch, Trenton Hatman, Mark Killian, Aaron Killian, Paul Killian, Corey Hester, Truman Sellars, Joe Strong, Jerry Meizner,  Howard Cavender, Members of Acacia Masonic Lodge #625.