A lifelong resident of the Ava area Billy Lee Howard, the son of James Howard and Jessie (Beavers) Howard, was born Sept. 4, 1953, in West Plains, and departed this life Jan. 4, 2007, at the age of 53.
Billy was a lifelong resident of the Ava area. He was employed as a truck driver and owned and operated his own truck.
On July 12, 1974, Billy and Nona Marie Downs were united in marriage in Ava. Billy and Marie were blessed with three children. Billy enjoyed gardening and being with his family and friends. He was a member of the Church of Christ.
Billy was preceded in death by his father, James Howard.
He is survived by his wife, Nona Marie, three children, Misty Dawn Howard, Billie Leanne Howard and Dustin James Howard, all of Ava; a foster son, James Osborn, Springfield; his mother, Jessie Howard, Dora; two sisters, Mrs. Gayle Barnes, Springfield, and Mrs. Linda Smith, Cuba, Mo.; one brother, Ronnie Howard, Dora; and host of other relatives and friends.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with Bro. Bobby Davidson, Bro. Ed Williamson and Bro. Ron Alexander officiating. Interment followed in the Whites Creek Cemetery, Ava.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
