Bill Ray Ashmead

William "Bill" Ray Ashmead of Newark, Arkansas, was born March 3, 1945, in Fordyce, Arkansas, the son of the late Ray Benjamin and Eunice Horton Ashmead. Bill was a faithful follower of Christ; he was a member of Marlow Missionary Baptist Church and in recent years attending Newark Southern Baptist Church. Bill served proudly in the United States Air Force directly out of high school, after his service he spent many years working for Renolds Metal before ultimately working and retiring from the Pine Bluff Arsenal. Bill was also a true outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish, and be out in the woods any chance he could enjoying God's creation. Above all, Bill was a family man, he loved being with his loving wife, his children and especially being grandpa to his grandchildren and great grandchildren; his lasting legacy of love lives on through them. 

Bill went home to be with the Lord on October 16, 2026, at White River Medical Center in Batesville, AR at the age of 81.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother-in-law Dale Moren. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Carolyn Aaron Ashmead, son Jason (Jill) Ashmead, daughter Lorna (Chris) McAllister, sister Lynnette Moren, grandchildren Christopher McAllister, Carrigan Jackson, Aaron McAllister, Gracie Walker, Chloe Ashmead, great grandchildren, Jaden Butts, Aubree Butts, Riley McAllister, Millie McAllister, and Brooks Jackson along with a host of extended family members and many friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday October 20, 2026, at Marlow Missionary Baptist Church in the Ico community with Bro. Mark Williams officiating. Interment service will follow at Bethel North Cemetery also in Ico. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until service time. Pallbearers are his grandchildren Christopher McAllister, Aaron McAllister, Pierce Jackson, and Seth Walker, his great grandchildren Jaden Butts, and Riley McAllister, and Billy Cantrel.