William E. Courson, Sr.

William E. Courson Sr., 83, of Crossett, passed away Sunday, May 12, 2019, at his home.  He was born on October 3, 1935, to his parents, Horace and Evelyn Cain Courson.  William was a 1954 Crossett High School graduate and lifelong resident of Ashley County.   

For 41 years, William worked for Georgia Pacific in the board mill where he eventually retired as a supervisor in 1997.  He was a faithful member and former deacon of Mt. Olive Baptist Church and former member of Temple Baptist Church where he and his wife, Barbara nurtured their six children.

William was an all-around athlete during his school years and a sports enthusiast throughout his life.  He worked hard, was incredibly handy, and enjoyed fixing things on his own, however; crappie fishing was his specialty, and he never failed to provide ample supply for his family.

After fighting a long 5-year battle with cancer, William is now finally pain-free.
Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Ann Barnett Courson; one daughter, Teresa Ann Donald; and one sister, Barbara Arrant.

He is survived by three daughters, Gayla Snelgrove and husband, Eric, of Leesville, LA, Brenda Garison and husband, Jamie, of Crossett, Sonya Knight and husband, James, of Crossett; two sons,  William E. “Eddie” Courson Jr. and wife, Freda, of Crossett, and Mark C. “Clay” Courson of Hamburg; one son-in-law, Greg Donald of Crossett; three brothers, Jerry Courson and wife, Sharon, of Pine Bluff, Daryl Courson  of Crossett, and Larry Courson and wife, Margaret, of Cabot, AR; one sister, Shirley Calhoun and husband, David, of Brevard, NC; one brother-in-law, Michael Arrant of Bastrop, LA; along with eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 15th, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church 1533 Hwy 52 W, Crossett with Clay Courson and Pastor Eric Hodge officiating, followed by interment at Pinewood Memorial Park under the direction of Medders Funeral Home. Pallbearers are Jon Beasley, Daniel Beasley, Cory Snelgrove, Clint Snelgrove, Nick Courson, Andy Trichell, Stan Haynie, and Joel Gulledge. Honorary pallbearers are Tyler Trichell, Courson Haynie, Drew Gulledge, and Ricky Rice.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 14th at Mt. Olive Baptist Church.

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