Obituaries

Billie Louise King

Photo of Billie Louise King
Billie Louise Burnett King, 97, of Clarksville died Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at her home. She was born Jan. 8, 1920, in Russellville, to Robert Lee and Jewell Irene Lowrey Burnett. She was a graduate of Van Buren High School and the College of the Ozarks in Clarksville. She had a 44-year career in public education, with 29 years in Arkansas public schools, including Guy-Perkins, Sulphur Springs near Hartman, Ozone, Rondo, Carden Bottom, Lamar, and Clarksville. She also served for 15 years at the College (University) of the Ozarks, where she held positions as Professor of English, Chairman of the Humanities and Fine Arts Division and retired as an Emeritus Professor of English. She was a member of Harmony Presbyterian Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, elder, pianist, and organist, and was active in the Women's Association. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Burley King. Survivors include two sons and spouses, Burnett and Sharon King of Clarksville, and Bob and Linda King of Van Buren; seven grandchildren and spouses, Scott and Lorna King of Shannon Hills, Carol and Joey French of Shreveport, La., Carla and Matt Young of Rogers, Christy and Jason Collins of Clarksville, Laura King of Fort Smith, Janice and Sterling Penix of Clarksville, and Audrey and Matt Nowotny of Van Buren; 12 great-grandchildren, Sarah and Jared King; Vin and Hope Young; John, Eva, and James Collins; Hayden, Landon, and Brendan Penix; and Joshua and Caleb Nowotny; a sister, Constance Warren of Van Buren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held 3-5 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at Hardwicke Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 20, at Harmony Presbyterian Church. Interment will be in Harmony Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Scott King, Joey French, Matt Young, Jason Collins, Sterling Penix and Matt Nowotny. Honorary pallbearers will be her caregivers, Maria Chism, Vonnell Dybala, Lindsey Marvel, Teresa Taylor and Kelly Walker. Memorials may be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, D.C. 20090-7251; Harmony Presbyterian Church, 202 County Road 3271, Clarksville, Ark. 72830; or the Burley and Billie King Education Scholarship at the University of the Ozarks, 415 N. College Ave., Clarksville, Ark. 72830.

Published March 18, 2017

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