William Ray Bobbitt

Ray Bobbitt

1919—2011

William Ray Bobbitt, resident of Paragould, Arkansas, native of Fayette County and husband of Maxine Sexton Bobbitt, died Tuesday morning, June 28, 2011 at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould where he had been a patient for 8 days. He was 91 years of age and died following a brief illness.

Services Honoring the Life of Mr. Bobbitt were conducted at 11 A.M. Friday, July 1 ^st at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Rev. William Larry Tubb, Pastor of the United Methodist Church in Macon, TN, officiating. Graveside Services with military honors were conducted at 4 P.M. at Brown’s Chapel Cemetery in Paragould with Rev. Heath Vines of Rosewood Baptist Church in Paragould, officiating. Interment followed in the Brown’s Chapel Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes—West Chapel of Oakland.

Mr. Bobbitt was born October 2, 1919, in Macon, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Junius Hill Bobbitt and Georgia Chambers Bobbitt. Mr. Bobbitt was educated in the Fayette County Public School System and served with distinction in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and was the recipient of the Purple Heart.

Mr. Bobbitt had been a resident of the Paragould Community since 1976 and continued his membership in the Macon, TN United Methodist Church throughout his lifetime.  He was a merchant for much of his lifetime and was also a farmer in earlier years.  His interests included nature, outdoors, caring for his lawn, gardening and Nascar activities.  He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal and College football fan who also enjoyed special times with his family.  He will be remembered as a person with a loving heart with kindness and patience to all.

He received much enjoyment from his beloved pet dog, Ellie.

In addition to his wife of 39 years, Mr. Bobbitt is survived by his daughters: Shirley Wade (Boyce) of Killen, Alabama, Leona Taylor (Don) of Collierville; his sons: Stanley Bobbitt (Vicki) of Bartlett, William Ray Bobbitt, Jr. (Emilee) of Paragould, AR; 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson.  Mr. Bobbitt was the last survivor of his immediate family was preceded in death by 4 sisters: Mable McDowell, Marie Tankersley, Francis Martin, Myrtle Hill; 8 brothers: Dan Bobbitt, Fayette Bobbitt, Wilbur Bobbitt, Frank Bobbitt, Junius Lee Bobbitt, Gail Bobbitt, Mark Bobbitt and Alvin Bobbitt.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Kevin Taylor, Chris Bobbitt, Keith Bobbitt, Brent Armstrong, Keith Staggs and Stanley Ray Bobbitt.  Elton Taylor served as an honorary casketbearer.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Macon United Methodist Church or the church, charity or organization of the donor’s choice.

www.peeblesfuneralhome.com