Billy Gene Dowler

Billy Gene Dowler, 87, of Paragould, passed away Wednesday at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. He was born on June 22, 1930 to the late Bert and Ruth Wilson Dowler. After he retired from General Motors, he spent several years working at McDonald's in Paragould. Bill served his country in the United States Army on the front line during the Korean Conflict. He married Elizabeth Russom-Hagood in May of 2005 at his family farm. He read his Bible daily, and he loved to sit in the sun. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Georgia Gonser Dowler; daughters, Verna Lee Page and Gail Vivian Long; brothers, Tony, Jackie, Jimmie, Wayne, and Jerry Dowler; and sisters, Marie Martin, Sena Cole, and Bertha Davidson.

Survivors included his wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Dowler; step children, Sharon Anderson, Roger Hagood, and Lesley Hagood; brothers, Harold, Robert, and Larry Dowler; sisters, Gloria Lacy and Cheryl Jones; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and step grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation is Friday from 2-3pm at Heath Funeral Home. The funeral will begin at 3pm with Topper Killough officiating. Burial is in Greene County Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Tim and Terry Dowler, Brian and Albert Anderson, and Alex and Aaron Page. Memorials may be sent to the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. Online tributes: www.heathfuneralhome.com