Billy Emde

Billy Wayne Emde, passed to his eternal reward on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 in Searcy, at the age 78. He was born May 11, 1931 in Bald Knob, Arkansas the son of Raymond and Irene (Shearer) Emde. The parents and one other son, Raymond D. Emde, were farmers at Bald Knob. Billy attended public schools at Bald Knob where he graduated in 1951. In high school, he was all district and all state football player, playing right guard and was the first player in the history of the school, at that time, to make all state. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the ship, 230 U.S. Rockwell for two years and then was assigned to the U.S. Navy Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Just prior to his assignment there, while at home on leave, he married Wanda Munger on December 26, 1952, the daughter of Elvin and Katy (White) Munger. They then went to Cuba where they lived for eighteen months. In November 1955, he began working for the Arkansas National Guard as an administrative specialist. Billy was the first NCO from the Arkansas National Guard in 1974 to attend the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy in Ft. Bliss, Texas. When he was discharged at the age of 60, he had obtained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer, W-4. Billy was a very community minded person in which he rendered substantial aid to the community. He was a Boy Scout Leader and a registered Girl Scout Volunteer for many years. He was a former Chamber of Commerce President, White County Credit Union President and was Treasurer for the Shady Grove Cemetery in Bald Knob. Active in the Lion's Club, he served as secretary/treasurer for several years. Billy and his wife were members of the Bald Knob Church of Christ, where he taught Bible classes for over 35 years and served as treasurer. Billy was named Bald Knob's Citizen of the Year for 2006. Billy helped many families in time of need and served as an Ombudsman Volunteer visiting those in nursing homes without family. In 2007, he worked hard on the Save Our School fund in Bald Knob, putting forth every effort to safeguard the interest of the Bald Knob public education. He was also a member of the Bald Knob Public Education Foundation. His word was his bond and he lived an honest and honorable life, coming from one of the pioneer families of White County, who like himself were numbered among our best citizens. He is survived by his wife, Wanda (Munger) Emde; 2 daughters, Kathy and her husband Gary Lawson and Joy and her husband Mike Casey; 2 grandchildren, Christian "Chris" and wife Lisa Lawson and Raelyn Lawson. A memorial service will be held at Powell Funeral Home on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will be on Friday from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Shady Grove Cemetery by Powell Funeral Home, Bald Knob-Judsonia. Memorials may be made to the Shady Grove Cemetery - P.O. Box 278 - Bald Knob, Arkansas 72010. On line condolences can be sent to the Emde Family at www.powellfuneralhome.net.

Billy Emde

May 11, 1931 - April 27, 2010