Owen Key Williams Sr

Owen Key Williams Sr., age 85, of Sheridan died Monday, December 28, 2009 at his home. He was born September 20, 1924 in Holly Springs, Arkansas, a son of the late Rufus Wallace and Eva Mae Owen Williams Sr. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1943, and was an active life member of Sheridan PTA and served as a volunteer in Sheridan Schools. Mr. Williams was an Army veteran of World War II, a member of 3113 th Signal Service Battalion. He served in the European Theatre. Mr. Williams retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1988 after 41 years of service. He was awarded the Louis Hine Award and a member of AT&T Telephone Pioneers. Mr. Williams served 50 years as Scoutmaster of Troop # 60. He was a member of the Quapaw Area Council where he received the Silver Beaver badge and Wood badge. Mr. Williams was a former member of the Order of the Arrow for Saracen District. He was a member of Sheridan Masonic Lodge # 260 where he was awarded the fifty year certificate. Mr. Williams was a member of the Sheridan Rotary Club and was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He served on the board of Diamond Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. Mr. Williams served as a volunteer for Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and taught Hunters Education courses for Grant and Jefferson County. Mr. Williams was a deacon and long time member of First Baptist Church of Sheridan for 68 years where he served as a Youth Leader and Sunday School Teacher for 30 of those years. He received the Good Shepherd Emblem presented by his church and friends. Mr. Williams enjoyed deer hunting and was a member of Saline River Hunting Club and Jenkins Ferry Hunting Club. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Rufus Wallace Williams Jr.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Della Mae Williams of Sheridan; Son and daughter-in-law, Owen Key and Becky Williams Jr. of Searcy; daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia (Cindy) and Brady Pye of Sheridan; grandchildren, Jessica Williams of Fayetteville, Amber Williams of Searcy, Timothy and Brianna Pye of Sheridan; nephews, Jerry (Christine) Williams of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Kenneth (Mary) Williams of Hamburg, Arkansas.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday December 31, 2009 at First Baptist Church in Sheridan with Dr. Sam Adkins and Dr. Tommy Cupples officiating. Burial will follow in Lost Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at Buie Funeral Chapel in Sheridan. Pallbearers are; Justin Morris, Dr. Larry Frisby, Mac Dixon, Mike Belt, and Harvey Skorcz, and Jeremy Morris. Honorary pallbearers are: Bobby Pinson, Loren Baggett, Norman Frisby, Jimmy Koon, Boy Scouts, Eagle Scouts, and Scoutmasters. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 1201 South Rock, Sheridan, Arkansas 72150, or Boy Scouts of America troop # 60 in care of Sheridan Rotary Club P.O. Box 338, Sheridan, Arkansas 72150. Please sign the online guestbook at www.buiefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan.