Bill Levins

Billy Gene Levins, 82, left this life Saturday, March 30, 2024 at his home in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Bill was born at home June 7, 1941 in the Finch community of rural Greene County to Ernest Sylvester Levins and Retha Baugh Levins.

Bill surrendered to the Lord early in life and was a member of the Finch Baptist Church. With the exception of his military training, Bill lived his entire life in Northeast Arkansas.  He attended primary school at Walcott, graduated from Greene Co. Tech High School in 1959, and attended a couple of semesters at Arkansas State College, before going to work for the local newspaper.  Bill worked for over 25 years at the Jonesboro Sun, working in numerous departments, starting in the press-room and eventually working in advertising sales at the time he left the Jonesboro Sun.

He joined the Army Reserve in 1962, spending training time in both Ft. Polk, Louisiana and Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. He often recounted how his commanding officers cautioned the recruits of their real possibility of being sent to Cuba if the 1962 Missile Crisis had gotten out of hand.

Bill was outgoing and loved to be with people.  It was no surprise that he spend most of his working years as a salesman. After leaving the Sun, he worked in retail advertising sales at KFIN Radio, Jonesboro Poster Advertising, Gibson SignMart and Lamar Outdoor Advertising before his official retirement.

Throughout his life, Bill took great pride in his ability to be a jack-of-all-trades. He was able to fix or build virtually anything needed around the home, and do much of his own car maintenance, as well. And, one would be hard-pressed to find a tool that he didn’t both have and know how to use. He also enjoyed woodworking, making many beautiful pieces of furniture and decorative items.

He and his wife loved to travel, taking over thirty cruises. They also took many road trips across our country to lots of wonderful places including: the Gulf Coast, Washington DC, Niagara Falls, New York City, and the Grand Canyon.

Another activity close to his heart was his membership and work in the Jonesboro University Heights Lions Club which he attended regularly, until prevented by his failing health. One of the highlights of his membership was when he was one of the four Lions chosen to represent the Arkansas Lions districts and attend the 2016 International Lions Convention in Fukuoka, Japan.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, as well as, one brother, Darrel Levins, and two sisters, Flossie McMillon and Clevie McMillon.

He is survived by his wife of thirty-seven years, Deborah Levins of the home, son, Scott Levins of Jonesboro, one brother, Gerald Levins of Jonesboro and one sister, Ernestine Hochstetler of Cleveland, Georgia.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, April 13th at 2:00 p.m., (visitation 1:00 p.m.) at Emerson Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro with Brother Terry Songer officiating.