Billy Joe Gookin's life on this earth ended at 3:09 pm on November 25th, 2020, at NEA hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas and went to his heavenly home. He was met on the other side by 13 brothers and sisters, his mother and father, and many friends who went before him. He was a life long member of First Baptist Church in Piggott. Billy was born December 9th 1935, in Rosa, AR,in Mississippi County, between the levee and the Mississippi River, to Virgle Eugene Gookin and Ethel Pauline (Anglin) Gookin. He was raised on a farm with his siblings. After completing the 6th grade, family hardships necessitated that he quit school and work. For some this would be a setback, but it instilled in him a strong work ethic that eventually lead to his success as a business man. After several years of working for others he became self-employed. His work experiences started as he worked on many farms along with his family, a bull dozer operator for Elmer Morgan, at Litz Brothers Hatchery and Roger's Produce. As a self-employed businessman, he started Piggott Produce, his own chicken and produce route. He added to this chicken houses. His next venture was purchasing a farm and raising cattle. With the purchase of the old Roger's Produce building he started a flea market. All along the way he was building and buying rental property. He was always looking out for the future of his family which was very important to him. His lack of a formal education did not keep him from learning. He studied about everything he set out to do, made good decisions, and most importantly he was honest and kept his word. He always acknowledged the people who helped him along the way when times were hard. Bill Gookin is survived by his wife Lottie (Wright) Gookin, of the home. Four children Linda Dixon of Piggott, Debbie Dunlap and husband Harold of Piggott, Jeffrey Gookin and wife Kristy of Jonesboro and Michael Gookin of Piggott. He also leaves behind eleven grandchildren, Andy, Amy, Megan, Melloney, Samantha, Jenna, Jillian, Gage, Nathan, Kase and Reagan. And thirteen great-grandchildren Logan, Tanner, Mason, Brandon, Kate, Emily, Charley, Murphee, Isabella, Grayson, Xaden, Gabriella and Isabella.One brother Robert Wayne Gookin of Ripon, California, and a host of other relatives and friends. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers John Gookin, Douglas Gookin, Clyde Gookin, Howard Gookin, Edward Gookin, Wallace Gookin, James Gookin and sisters Eugene Lee, Orean Self, Hazel Long, Virginia Lowerines, Audrey Gookin and Martha Geneva Gookin and a son-in-law, Ronny Dixon. We would like to thank NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital and his team of doctors and nurses for providing excellent and compassionate care for our husband and father as his health demised on his final journey home. His wishes were to be cremated and the family will have a private service on Sunday November 29th, 2020 at First Baptist Church in Piggott, Arkansas, with Rondal Richardson officiating. Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home in charge of arrangement. The family request in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to the First Baptist Church Camp Fund or Coat Fund.