Billy Gidcomb

Billy Gene Gidcomb, 74, of Beebe, Arkansas, passed away December 19, 2023. Billy was born March 11, 1949, and grew up on a small farm in Monette, Arkansas.  He worked on the family farm throughout his younger life. His first job was a cook at a drugstore in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  He was an excellent cook and baker. When he turned 17, he enlisted in the Marine Corps.  He attended Recruit Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) in San Diego, California. Billy served for four years including two years in the Vietnam war. He was a helicopter mechanic while he served. After his discharge from the Marine Corps, he started working in construction in Jonesboro. He eventually moved to Cabot where he started his own successful construction company.  Billy was creative; his favorite thing to build was magnificent waterfalls.

Unfortunately. Billy’s military service came at a sacrifice to his health due to agent orange exposure in Vietnam. Billy was a proud Marine. He was always proud of the fact he served.  He was a true patriot; he loved and respected our country.  He often said,” once a Marine always a Marine.”

Billy was preceded in death by his father, Norman Eugene Gidcomb, mother, Inous Johnson Wright, and brother, Ronnie Eugene Gidcomb.

He is survived by his sisters, Mary Taylor Steele of Vista, California and Teresa Kay Johnson of San Marcos, California; five nieces and nephews, Roger Steele, Nicole Steele Wright, Heather Volpp, Brian Hout and Christina Torres.  He enjoyed his 17 grand nieces and nephews.

Our brother was loved by his family and friends.  He had a great sense of humor.  He made us all laugh and feel so loved. We will miss him terribly. 

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. https://www.stjude.org        

Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 19, 2024, at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, 404 W. Dewitt Henry, Beebe, Arkansas, with interment at 1:00 p.m. at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. Cremation arrangements by Smith Westbrook Funeral Home.  To view the online obituary, visit www.smithfamilycares.com/westbrook.