William Ray "Bill" Dickson
August 4, 1949 — April 20, 2024
William Ray Dickson, better known as Bill to some but Grandpa to most, went to be with his Lord on Saturday morning, April 20, 2024 while resting in his recliner reading his bible. He was born on August 4, 1949 in Morrilton, AR. He resided most of his adult life in the Vilonia Conway area. He was 74 and he lived his life to the fullest. Bill had the energy of a young man, the heart of a Godly man, and a love for his family like the greatest of men. He cherished his wife, Kay, of 54 years and together they raised a son, Shane, who they cherished equally. Bill valued working hard and spent many of his days doing whatever needed to be done for others simply because he wanted to and because he valued them. Doing for others was his way of expressing his love. Of course, his family benefited most from his efforts, but you didn’t have to be family for him to want to do something for you and you didn’t have to be blood to be family. Bill & Kay only had 1 son, but as many of you can testify to, he had many children. Some of those came along at a young age, some of them showed up as adults, but all of them looked up to him as a father figure and he invested time and love into them as if they were his own.
Bill was a patriotic man. He loved his country. He served in the Army and fought in the Vietnam War. He served his family and his country well but most of all he served his Lord well. Bill was an example and an inspiration to many. He taught Sunday School for more years than any of us can remember. He was never ashamed to share his faith. He lived out what he believed every day. He wasn’t a perfect man but he was a man seeking after THE perfect one.
Bill spent several years owning and operating 8 Mile Store. This allowed him to do what he did best…..connect with people. Bill made more friends than he did biscuits and pork chops at the 8 Mile. He would feed you if you were broke and give you a ride if you were broke down. He never met a stranger with whom he wasn’t willing to strike up a conversation. By the end of it he knew where they were from, common interests they shared, and of course who they voted for. No topic was off limits for Bill, but his favorite topic was often his grandsons. Bill had a lot of titles over the years…..son, husband, father, soldier, boss, but Grandpa was his favorite. He loved Landon and Tanner with his whole heart and he loved doing something with them or for them. He was proud of the men they have become and if you’ve spent any amount of time with Bill you already knew that.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Opal Goodall Yielding and Gerald Dickson; sister, Sondra Crawford; niece, Malanie Laughlin; and great granddaughter, Miley Rae Dickson.
Bill is survived by his wife and best friend, Kay Dickson; son, Shane (Susan) Dickson; grandsons Landon Dickson (Arianna), and Tanner (Gracie) Dickson; brother, Gerald Ron Dickson; and beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Bill’s service will be held at Conway Cowboy Church on Friday, April 26th at 3:00pm, with visitation 1 hour prior at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Tunnels to Towers Foundation or Disabled American Veterans (dav.org)
Bill was a patriotic man. He loved his country. He served in the Army and fought in the Vietnam War. He served his family and his country well but most of all he served his Lord well. Bill was an example and an inspiration to many. He taught Sunday School for more years than any of us can remember. He was never ashamed to share his faith. He lived out what he believed every day. He wasn’t a perfect man but he was a man seeking after THE perfect one.
Bill spent several years owning and operating 8 Mile Store. This allowed him to do what he did best…..connect with people. Bill made more friends than he did biscuits and pork chops at the 8 Mile. He would feed you if you were broke and give you a ride if you were broke down. He never met a stranger with whom he wasn’t willing to strike up a conversation. By the end of it he knew where they were from, common interests they shared, and of course who they voted for. No topic was off limits for Bill, but his favorite topic was often his grandsons. Bill had a lot of titles over the years…..son, husband, father, soldier, boss, but Grandpa was his favorite. He loved Landon and Tanner with his whole heart and he loved doing something with them or for them. He was proud of the men they have become and if you’ve spent any amount of time with Bill you already knew that.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Opal Goodall Yielding and Gerald Dickson; sister, Sondra Crawford; niece, Malanie Laughlin; and great granddaughter, Miley Rae Dickson.
Bill is survived by his wife and best friend, Kay Dickson; son, Shane (Susan) Dickson; grandsons Landon Dickson (Arianna), and Tanner (Gracie) Dickson; brother, Gerald Ron Dickson; and beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Bill’s service will be held at Conway Cowboy Church on Friday, April 26th at 3:00pm, with visitation 1 hour prior at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Tunnels to Towers Foundation or Disabled American Veterans (dav.org)
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