Mr. Billy Gene Waddell, age 94, passed away Friday, February 10, 2023, in Mena, Arkansas. He was born December 7, 1928, in Oak Hill Community (Board Camp), Arkansas, to the late Charles E. Waddell and Cleo Helen Parker Waddell.
Mr. Waddell was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, serving more than 22 years, with 11 of those years at sea. He retired in 1971, after serving on 12 different aircraft carriers. He had combat tours in both Korea and Vietnam. As a member of an air crew, he had 226 combat missions over Korea, but spent most of his time serving in air squadrons loading ordnance. He was a Senior Chief Petty Officer at retirement. He had sailed around both the Horn of South America and the Horn of Africa in 1957 and 1965. Billy was known as an outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and was always bird watching.
Mr. Waddell is preceded in death by his parents, Charles E. Waddell and Cleo Helen Waddell; loving wife, Armel Bryan Waddell; sisters, Lucille Waddell Hallman, Anna Lee Waddell Riggs; brothers, Gerald T. Waddell and Jack M. Waddell. He is survived by many cousins, 2 nieces, 4 nephews, and other family and friends too numerous to mention.
Graveside services for Mr. Billy Gene Waddell will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, February 16, 2023, at the Board Camp Cemetery in Board Camp, Arkansas. Brother Steve Raines will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation will be general.
Pallbearers will be David Parker, Den Youngblood, Dennis Rowe, Billy Carmack, Jeremy Gilcrest, and Robert Waddell.
Honorary Pallbearers are Larry Youngblood, Grady Broxton, Kevin Hodges, and Durad Bryan.
Online obituary and guestbook at www.beasleywoodfuneralhome.com
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