of Hughes, AR
November 19, 1936 - January 12, 2021
Billy Ray Goacher was born to Dave and Louise (Wilson) Goacher on November 19, 1936 in Aubrey, AR. The family moved to Hughes when he was 6. He lived in Hughes the remainder of his life, except for his military service in the Philippines and various bases in the US.
Billy was a great many things, faithful man of God, faithful friend, faithful servant, and loving father, grandfather, husband, brother, and uncle. He served his community for 20 years as a volunteer firefighter.
Billy was ordained as a deacon at Chatfield Baptist Church. After the church closed, he became a deacon at First Baptist Church in Hughes. Serving the Lord and the church was the most important thing in his life.
He was a fantastic family man. To him, family wasn't always blood related. He loved people and loved helping people. He loved to hunt and fish, but was happiest when he had his children or nieces and nephews with him on those adventures. During his last days, he talked about those times the most.
He never met a stranger and had no enemies. He loved to laugh and sing. He could fix anything or figure out how to make it work. Billy was strongly patriotic and loved his country. He served his country in the Air Force and was as a Korean War Vet. Being a veteran was a huge source of pride for him.
He will be missed by his wife, Carey, his daughter, Jeanette Skipper (Rodger) of Hughes, his son, Timmy (Dianna) of Hughes, his grandsons, Eric Skipper (Gabrielle Edington) of West Memphis and Will Skipper of Hughes, and great granddaughter Karsen Skipper of West Memphis. He is also survived by his stepsons, Ricky Bledsoe of Augusta and Mark Bledsoe (Teressa) and step granddaughter, Abby Bledsoe of Bartlett, TN. He leaves behind his sister, Frances Creekmore (Delbert) of West Memphis, his brothers, David Goacher of West Memphis, and Lewis Goacher (Annie) of Velvet Ridge. He will also be missed by many close family members and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Patsy, his son, Gary Ray, brothers, Sanford Goacher of Hughes and Cecil Goacher of Wynne, sisters Helen Coffey of Forrest City and Doris Jensen of Garden City, MO.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to First Baptist Church, Box 25, Hughes, AR 72348.
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home will be following guidelines issued by the Arkansas Department of Health and the CDC regarding COVID-19. Social distancing of at least six feet must be practiced and all funeral attendees must provide and wear their own mask.
Billy was a frequent visitor to our pier at Horseshoe lake.We had many conversations, we will miss him!
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time of loss. Mr. Billy was such a kind and generous man. He was a blessing and true Christian example to the town of Hughes, First Baptist of Hughes, and to all who knew him.
I am deeply saddened of the passing of Mr. Goacher, he was a great man. He done my wheel alignment on my car many years ago smh because I had no clue what my problem was My heart and prayers goes out to the family ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™
Frances and the rest of the family. We are sorry to hear of the passing of Billy losinga sibling is never easy. Thoughts and prayers to each of you,
Caroline Goacher Biggs.
Jeanette, Timmy, and Family,
I am so sad to hear of Mr. Billy's passing, Our families have been friends since I was a little child. He was a wonderful, kind man that loved the Lord will all his heart. He will be greatly missed. May the Lord comfort you and give you strength at this time.
With all my love,
Mary Beth Freels
So sorry for your loss
Such fond memories of Bro. Billy at Chatfield Baptist Church, and through the years anytime I saw him he always had a smile on his face.
Your family is in my prayers & thoughts.
sorry for your loss. will miss him
Will be truly missed!! Such an example of a true friend and christian! A true mentor and dad to me.
Will miss you so much. But know you are home now and far better off.
Was saddened to hear about Brother Billy’s passing. A very Godly man I am proud to have known.
Praying for the family and especially you David. Love you man!
Fred and Kim Hollowell
Very sorry for the family's loss. He was a wonderful person.
Mr. Billy truly let his love of the Lord shine through him. Today he is singing with Jesus looking down on all the lives he touch and still talking with God for their souls. God Bless the family during this time of celebration that he is with the Lord. So sorry for the loss.
We will miss Mr. Billy and pray for his family. We also rejoice that he is now in a much better place with our God and our Savoir. He was a good Christian example for me growing up in Hughes. He fixed our cars many times. I learned how to sing in the FBC Hughes choir sitting next to him.
Praying for your family. Billy , truly loved the Lord and his life reflexed his love for Christ. His favorite sone to sing was LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU. I worked with Billy at First Baptist in Hughes. Together we started the devotional services before Sunday School.. the family families all three of us, the Chie, Gin, and Fun Fong’s truly loved Billy. He was a dear friend. He was the last one from a Hughes to visit Dr. Fun Fong in hospital when he was ill. Thank you for being our special friend. God bless your family, Billy. They are going to miss you.
Great loss for Fong family. All of families of Chie, Gin and Fun Fong’s will miss Mr Billy . We loved Billy and I know he loved us. He will truly be missed. I loved working with Billy at First Baptist in Hughes. We started the devotional services before Sunday School. I loved working with Billy. He was the 9last one from Hughes to visit Dr. Fong in hospital. Billy , truly loved the Lord. He really loved to sing the hymn Let others see Jesus in you. Which he did in his Christian witnessing every day of his life. Thank you, Billy, for coming into or lives and blessing us.
Wonderl kind man .
He lead my Dad to Jesus. For that I am so thankful!
I am Blessed to have know you Mr. Goacher.
Prayers for your family.
From all the Members of the American Legion Marianna, Post#5 Billy will be dearly missed. Our prayers and thought are with you. He was a Proud Veteran.
So sorry to hear of Billy’s passing. He was a fine Christian example in the community. Our condolences to the family.
Steve and Charlotte Wicks
Our hearts and prayers are with Billy's family. His younger brother, Dave, as well as Frances and others in the family have been our dear friends for many years. We know Billy is now celebrating at the feet of Jesus and pray for the strength and peace of those he had to leave behind. We will see him again soon my friends. God bless and much love!
Jerry and Sharon Mays
We knew Mr. Goacher most all of our lives. We send our deepest sympathies to the family. He will be missed.
Gonna miss you me bill. Rip you will be missed by many many people.
I knew Billy for over 50 year. He was a wonderful person and a God fearing Christian man. Hughes has lost a pillar of the community. Rest in peace old friend.
Will miss you greatly good friend, but we know you are in a far better place for eternity.
We are so saddened to hear of the loss of a truly good man. Mr. Billy will be missed by many. Ya'll are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Clifton and Darrellann
Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Mr. Goacher was a very sweet man. He will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Mary Ann and Daniel
Mr. Billy was one of the nicest people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Prayers for his family at this difficult time.
It is with happiness and sadness that I write this message. Sadness because we have lost a good friend. Happiness because our friend is not in pain and is walking the streets of gold in heaven. He will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Cliff and Lynda Wise
Jeanette,
My heart breaks for you. I know your pain. I loved hearing you called “Bill’s girl†by your dad’s fishing buddies. It’s hard to deal with, my memories are what pull me through.
Love you girl,
Tracey
We are so sorry to hear that Billy passed. We knew him to be a great Christian and attended church with him in Hughes. Also Ron works with his brother David. Loved hearing his fishing stories at Horseshoe Lake. Missed by anyone that had the pleasure of knowing him and his family!