BILLY JACK SIMPKINS OBITUARY

Billy Jack Simpkins passed from this life on February 27, 2026. He was born in Monette, Arkansas on December 26, 1929. He lived his entire life in the Monette, Black Oak and Jonesboro area. He was a Christian, and once he was baptized into Christ he never looked back, reading the New Testament 470 plus times in his life, and placing his life in the hands of his Savior Jesus Christ.

Billy Jack was a decorated veteran of the Korean War where he made two battle jumps and helped rescue POWs from a train on October 20, 1950. He was a proud member of the 11th Airborne, and the 187th Regimental Combat Team. He was proud of his service to our country.

Billy Jack was an avid gardener who gave away much more than he consumed. His garden was known around his home and most summer days he could be found in it more than once a day.

Billy Jack loved the outdoors. He loved to hunt; and harvested, drug and butchered deer well into his nineties.

Billy Jack was an elite athlete from Senior Olympics to Sprint Triathlons. He often ran from event to event at the Senior Olympics to “get another metal” and could remember the ones he just missed more than the hundreds he received. The most impressive Triathlon accomplishment was a 5th place finish in the 60-64 age division in the National Sprint Triathlon Championship in 1990. He was disappointed with his performance and often referred to it as “only 5th place”. He was the Arkansas State Triathlon Champion in his age division numerous years.

Billy Jack is preceded by his parents, Jesse and Lillie Simpkins; and siblings, Jess Simpkins, Tom Simpkins, Tootsie Stevens, Ellis Simpkins, Betty Simpkins, and Maybelle Simpkins.

Billy Jack is survived by his wife of 73 years, Nelda (Collins) Simpkins; three sons Rick (Sherry) Simpkins, Randy (Denise) Simpkins, and his favorite, Kevin (Michelle) Simpkins; six Grandchildren, Jared (Alisha) Simpkins, Lasha Simpkins, Lindsie Medlock, Shalyn Simpkins, Dustin (Hannah) Simpkins and Sarah (Brian) Tackett; eight great grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Caleb) Kelley, Cade Simpkins, Kyra Reece, Grace Ishmael, Kennedy Beth Simpkins, Ellie Tackett, Tripp Simpkins and James Tackett; and one great, great grandchild, Coen Jack Kelley.

Billy Jack is survived by one sister Winona Kifer, and sisters in law, Patsy Gerber, Faye Westmoreland, Sherry (Rick) Turman; brothers in law, Ellis Collins and Cletis Collins, all of Jonesboro; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

The visitation will be held from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at Emerson Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m. with Spencer Furby officiating. Burial will be at Nettleton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the Family request that Shriners Children's Attn: Shriners Children's PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394, St Jude Children’s Hospital, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105, or Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23453.

Online Guestbook: www.emersonfuneralhome.com