1935-2025
Billy Ray Crouse was born in Grant County, Arkansas, the son of the late O.J. “Pud” and Hazel Gartman Crouse on May 21, 1935. He lived on a small farm in the Crossroads and Shiloh community. He plowed mules and worked in corn and cotton fields, where he picked cotton by hand. He was a 1953 graduate of Sheridan High School. He proudly served in the United States Army and later the United States Air National Guard. He worked in sawmills in California, set chokes in Oregon, and was a roughneck in the Oklahoma oilfields. He worked for Bruce Lumber Company before Attending Arkansas State Teacher’s College (Currently University of Central Arkansas) on a choir scholarship. While in college, he was a member of the Mu Chapter of Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity. He organized a rock and Roll band, known as “The Flames” and they played in various places around the state. He was also a member of the track team in college. He obtained a degree in Business Administration and began a career with the Arkansas State Health Department. He then transferred to federal service with the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia as an epidemiologist. His job assignments also took him to Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Missouri. He retired in early 2000 and began his next venture in the rental and real estate business. His church family at First Landmark Baptist in Sheridan was a very big part of his life, especially his Sunday School class, the “Tweenagers”. He was so thankful to be a part of that class and the fine Christian people in it.
To say Bill Ray never sat still would be a huge understatement. He was Sheridan Little League Commissioner for three years and a coach for eight. When most people his age were enjoying retirement, he chose to serve as a substitute teacher for a number of years in the Sheridan School District. The students branded him “Papa Crouse” and he enjoyed teaching them valuable life lessons. Billy Ray never met a stranger, and if you ran into him, you may as well be prepared to “visit” for a bit. He loved his little hometown of Sheridan. For many years he drove miles around town in his maroon chevy pickup with his constant companion, his German shepherd.
Mr. Crouse died Monday, March 4, 2025 at his home in Sheridan, at the age of 89. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, John L. Crouse.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Diana Crouse; son and daughter-in-law, Cliff and Ashley Crouse; daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Josh Whisenhunt; granddaughters, Sayde and Mayce Crouse and their mother, Jaki Collins; grandsons, Grayson and Carter Whisenhunt. He is also survived by extended family members, friends, and his First Landmark Church family.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Monday, March 10, 2025 at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel in Sheridan, with Bro. Shawn Hill and Bro. DeHaan Thornton officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Cemetery (South) with Military Honors. Visitation will be Sunday, 5:00-7:00 P.M.
Serving as pallbearers are Kenny Sites, Russell Crouse, Paul Crouse, Earnest Miller, Drew Illing, and Kim Gartman. Honorary pallbearer is Dale Wilkinson.
Memorials may be made to First Landmark Baptist Church in Sheridan.
