Billy "Bill" Ray Ivy

Billy “Bill” Ray Ivy went home to be with the Lord Thursday, January 5, 2023 at the age of 75. He was preceded in death by his son Robert William Ivy; his parents, Clifford Earnest Ivy and Maxine Marie Ivy, and his brother Richard Earnest Ivy.

He is survived by his wife Elaine Ivy of Oklahoma City, OK, his daughter Autumn Nicole Brown and her husband Jason Mark Brown of Oklahoma City, and his siblings, Clifford Autry Ivy of Barling, Margie Marie Ivy and Susie Ivy Harger of Bentonville, and Della Ivy-Levan of Neosho, MO. He is also survived by his three granddaughters, Ziva Grace Brown, Eden Faith Brown, and Myka Joy Brown. Additionally, he leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews, and many friends who loved him dearly.

Bill was born June 22, 1947 in Bentonville, Arkansas to Clifford and Maxine Ivy. A country boy from the start, he hit the ground running, eager to explore the world around him. ‘Cause like most kids back then, it was better to be outside than inside “under foot.” This outdoor childhood grew into a love of nature and agriculture that eventually led to many days working towards his 4H goals. He graduated from Bentonville High School in 1965. After high school, Bill served his country as a medic in the United States Navy at Naval Base Subic Bay in the Philippines until he received an honorable discharge on January 16, 1969. Back in the states, Bill attended the University of Arkansas where he studied Agricultural and Animal Science. He excelled in his studies, to the point of being a part of the 1974 winning team for the National Intercollegiate Poultry Judging contest, with Bill taking second overall in the national individual competition. After college, Bill worked for the government as a supervisor for the Farmers Home Administration and then the USDA Rural Development. He would work at several locations throughout Arkansas until his retirement in 1999.

Bill's greatest accomplishment was his family. Once upon a time, Bill met the love of his life, the then Elaine Parks, in a Rogers, Arkansas bowling alley in early March of 1971. It was love at second sight. They were married April 1, 1972, were blessed to honor, and serve each other for over 50 years. During these years, they adopted a daughter, Autumn Nicole; and son, Robert William, completing the Ivy Family.

Though he had his hands full with family and work, Bill still loved being outside. An avid outdoorsman, it would not be uncommon to find him hunting or fishing on an Arkansas mountain or river, almost always sharing these moments with his family. He loved traveling and exploring, and never met a historical marker he didn’t want to read. He also loved a good western, reading the paper, and calling the Hogs.

Bill’s greatest service of all was to his family. He went beyond putting a roof over their heads. He loved and encouraged them daily. He instilled the importance of God, education, and a good work ethic. These were things he taught by example. He was there shoulder to shoulder with his family working through all that life handed them, the good and the bad. He loved his Lord and his family with all he had.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 12, 2023 from 5-7:00pm and his Funeral Service will be Friday, January 13, 2023 beginning at 11:00am, all at Rollins Funeral Home, 1401 W. Hudson Rd in Rogers. Interment will follow in Benton County Memorial Park Cemetery in Rogers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to DAV – Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 www.DAV.org or the Gary Sinise Foundation, PO Box 40726, Nashville, TN 37204 www.garysinisefoundation.org are appreciated.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.RollinsFuneral.com for the Ivy family.