Billy Joe Dowdy

Billy Joe Dowdy a loving husband and father passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025. He was born July 13, 1940, in Alexander, Arkansas, to the late Leonard and Lola Bateman Dowdy. Billy Joe was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Charles Dowdy of Paragould, Grayson Dowdy and Buford Dowdy both of Van Buren, Missouri, and Leonard Junior Dowdy of Paragould; infant sister, Enorel Dowdy; and infant grandson, Nathan Ryan Dowdy. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Elnora Hester Dowdy; three children, Loretta Reeves (Marc) of Paragould, Susan Riggs (Scott) of Blue Springs, Missouri, and Marcus Dowdy (Lori) of Paragould; one sister, Irene Evans of Oran, Missouri; grandchildren, Eric Reeves (Rachel), Jon Reeves (Sunshine), Kristin Schilb (Joel), Sara Groves (Josh), Skylynn Riggs, Samantha Riggs, Abby Riggs, Hannah Gonzalez (Angel), and Colton Dowdy (Emmeline); and 16 great-grandchildren. Billy was a graduate of the 1960 Class of Greene County Tech, graduated from Williams Baptist in Walnut Ridge and Florida Baptist Seminary. He pastored Arkansas churches; Rock Hill Baptist in Paragould, Lafe Baptist, Tipperary Baptist in Corning, Rose Chapel Baptist in Leachville, Emmanuel Baptist in Piggott, Oak Grove Heights Baptist, Cadron Ridge Baptist in Conway, Big Creek Baptist in Lafe, and Center Hill Baptist in Paragould. He held a board seat for the New Liberty Cemetery. He was a founding member of the Oak Grove Heights Fire Department. He served as the association Director for the Greene County Baptist Association. He also served as the director for the Cedar Glades Baptist encampment in Imboden where he touched many young lives. In his early years, he loved to hunt, fish, and collect arrowheads around the Alexander Community where he met his wife of 65 years, Elnora. While attending Calvary Baptist Church in his 20's. He taught a teenage Sunday School Class where nine young boys surrendered to the ministry of the Gospel. Billy loved holidays, especially Christmas. He loved to spend time with his family and friends. He lived his faith and loved to shepherd his churches over his 65 years of ministry. In later life he loved to play the harmonica and care for his cats. The family will receive friends Sunday, September 21, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home. The funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 22, at Phillips Funeral Home with Dr. Marc Reeves officiating. Burial will follow at New Liberty Cemetery. Eric Reeves, Jon Reeves, Colton Dowdy, Joel Schilb, Josh Groves, and Angel Gonzalez will serve as pallbearers. To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.