Jonesboro- Billy Joe Adams, 91, passed away Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House.

He was born February 25, 1930 in Knobel to the late John Quincey and Hazel Meyers Adams. Billy Joe served his country proudly in the United States Army during the Korean War from May 1952 until December 1953. He was in the 2 ^nd Division, (Indianhead Division Corp.) Signal Corp Communications. He worked grading rice for the USDA from 1954 until 1965 then he started farming in the Cash and Weiner areas and retired in 2012. He served on the Craighead County Soil Conservation Board since the 1980's. He worked with the Resource Conservation and Development Council in the 1990s and early 2000's. In 2002 and 2006, he was awarded with the Outstanding Service Award, "for the dedication to the improvement of Rural Arkansas Its Natural Resources". In 2010 he was awarded with the Pioneer Award for years of service to the rice industry by the Arkansas Rice Festival Board.

He loved farming, mentoring young farmers, and especially enjoyed working with Jerry Don and Tommy Clark and seeing their farming operation grow to its full potential. He began the education of the local farmers on the "No-Till" project and he was instrumental in forming the "Farmer's Market" at Arkansas State University.

He spent many years working in the Otwell Christian Church and he loved all of his brothers and sisters at the church. In 2000, he was awarded as Elder Emeritus by the Otwell Christian Church after serving as a deacon and elder at the church for over fifty years.

He enjoyed country music, hunting, fishing and he loved the times spent at the Round-up Country Music Show. He spent a lot of time camping at Mountain View. He loved spending time with his precious granddaughters, who he adored.

He is survived by his wife, June Clark Adams; his children, Jon Adams (Kim) and Jo Brinkle (Grant) all of Jonesboro; granddaughters, Olivia Sanders (Cody) of Paragould and Madeline Adams of Jonesboro; a sister, Dora Lee Mann of Edwardsville, Kansas and several nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

He was also preceded in death by siblings, Cecil Adams, Dale Adams, Bonnie Tyler, Vernell Adams, J. Q. Adams, Jerry Adams and Dortheta Luttrell.

Visitation will be from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. Sunday, January, 2, 2022 at Gregg- Langford Bookout Funeral Home.

Service and entombment will be private at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

Lasting memorial may be sent to Otwell Christian Church or favorite charity.

Family requests masks be worn during the visitation.