Billy Slagle

Billy Joe Slagle left this earthly world on Wednesday - January 21, 2026, at ninety-two years of age. Bill was born on August 20, 1933, to Charlie (Speck) Allison and Lessie (Beauty) Jaunita Slagle at the Keener House in Mill Creek, Arkansas. Charlie and Lessie instilled Christian values and a strong work ethic in a young Bill that served as a solid foundation for the rest of his life.

In 1952, Bill graduated from Boles High School as the valedictorian from a class of seven. In 1953, he married the love of his life, Patsy Barker, whom he shared a solid marriage with for nearly seventy-three years. Also in 1953, Bill was drafted by the army, serving in Germany during the Korean War, earning the rank of corporal by the time of his discharge in 1955.

Bill and Patsy bought the Simkin's homeplace in 1961, where they raised their children, David and Jody, and enjoyed farm life for over fifty years. Bill reluctantly gave up being a farmer at the age of ninety one after he turned the tractor over in a ditch coming back home after mowing the grass at Boles Southern Baptist Church. Not only did Bill help establish the Boles Southern Baptist Church, but he also helped build the church itself where he served as a deacon for the rest of his life. Bill helped establish the Boles Fire Department and served as Fire Chief for over twenty years. In addition to being a Godly, family man and farmer, Bill put himself through barber school in Little Rock where he graduated in 1965. Bill worked as a barber in a shop in Waldron, Arkansas for close to thirty years, which was conveniently located just across the street from the courthouse, making Bill's shop a source of town gossip that would rival any old lady gossip gang. Bill was a compassionate man who would cut hair at the rest home in Waldron once a month, free of charge.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Lessie, his brother Bob Slagle, and his sister, Lucy Wright.

His survivors include his loving wife, Patsy, sister Treva Harberson (Tommy), son David (Robyn), and daughter, Jody; grandchildren: Sidney (Tiffany), Ryan, Savanna (Hannah), Sadie, and his "best bud" Charley Girl (Justin); great grandchildren Kenny (Jack), Anthony, Gary, Haylee (Bryson) of Boles, Arkansas, and Trevor of Nacogdoches, Texas.

Bill's memorial celebration of life will be 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.  

Bill was a husband, father, mentor, and leader. He was a man of faith who would lend a hand where needed and advice when not needed or requested. To those who knew him, Bill Slagle was a great man, for those of us who knew him well he was the (Old) G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time). May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.