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Submitted: 6/29/15 • Approved: 11/27/20 • Last Updated: 11/30/20 • R1085362-G0-S3
U.S. Army
April 14, 1926 - June 29, 2015
* obituary
Eddie's Family Funeral Home
Billy Hayden Blankenship of Oxford, Arkansas formerly of Bandmill, Arkansas
Billy Hayden Blankenship, son of the late Hugo Howard Blankenship and Bessie Lee Couch Blankenship, was born April 14, 1926 in Bandmill, Arkansas. He departed this life June 29, 2015 at Calico Rock, Arkansas at the age of 89 years, 2 months and 15 days. Billy served in the United States Army from 1945 - 1947. He was united in marriage to Gladys Dale December 20, 1947 and to this union three children were born. At the time of his death, he was married to Rheta Dillard Blankenship of Oxford. He spent his life as son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, provider and friend. During his working years, he worked as a carpenter.
He is survived by his wife of 11 years: Rheta Blankenship of the home; three children: Johnny Lee Blankenship (Cheryl) of Tunis, Missouri, Catherine Ann Fleming (Kenneth) of Warsaw, Missouri and Sereta Elaine Winkle (Roger) of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; two stepsons; two stepdaughters; one brother: Howard Blankenship (Janice) of Bandmill; two sisters: Rachel Dillard (the late James Dillard) of Oxford, Bernice Sherrell (Charles) of Oxford; 11 grandchildren: Paula Sechrest, Teresa Ingram, Ki Melora, Vince Martinez, Ashlee Blankenship, Melissa Taylor, Michelle Chapman, Marcella Spahr, B. J. Snyder, Stephanie Chandler, John Winkle; 5 step grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 7 step great grandchildren; his former wife: Gladys Blankenship of Bandmill, Arkansas and a host of other relatives and many good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers: Roby Roy Blankenship, Burlin Blankenship; three sisters: Wilma Gay Blankenship, Alene Sherrell and Bonnie May.
Visitation will be Friday, July 3 beginning at 12 noon at Eddie’s Family Funeral Home in Melbourne. Funeral service will be Friday, July 3 at 2:00 p.m. at Howard Memorial Funeral Chapel in Eddie’s Family Funeral Home. Burial will be at Oxford Cemetery.
Pallbearers: B. J. Snyder, John Winkle, Vince Martinez, Tim Taylor, Isaac Blankenship, and Eli Blankenship.
Honorary Pallbearers: Randy Sherrell, Danny Blankenship, Russell Sherrell, David Sherrell and Greg Sherrell.
(Photo by the late Vera Emeline Lane Reeves)
Contributed on 6/29/15 by maxparnell
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Record #: 1085362