Billy Ray Goodson

ARITON…Mr. Billy Ray Goodson, a resident of Ariton, died Sunday afternoon, February 9, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at his home. He was 79.

 Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Dennis Tew and his son-in-law, Pastor Robin Bell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Wednesday at the church. 

 Mr. Goodson, son of the late LB (Tate) and Leona Rachel Goodson, was a native of the Marley Mill Community, near Ozark. He retired from Fort Rucker as an aircraft mechanic after over thirty years of employment. Mr. Goodson was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. He served in the Alabama Army National Guard in the Ariton Unit. Mr. Goodson was preceded in death by a sister, Glennie Ruth Sitz and three brothers, Kenneth “Pete” Goodson and his wife, Gladys, Shorty Goodson, and Gerald L. Goodson.

 Surviving relatives include his wife of fifty-seven years, Glenda Littlefield Goodson, Ariton; his children, Rex Andrews (Rhonda), Newton, Ron Goodson (Tonya), and Donna Bell (Robin), all of Ariton; sister, Shirley Boose, Ozark; sister-in-law, Kathryn Hughes Goodson, Rocky Head Community; grandchildren, Megan Faulk (Kaegan), Rex Allen Andrews, Avery Andrews, Erica Goodson, Kayleigh Winn (Blaise), Danielle McKeown (Skylar), Jonathan Stinson, Chase Goodson, Cede Davis (Brandon), Samantha Prestwood (Kelsey), Josh Bell (Destiny), Antony Coy; great-grandchildren, Flynt Faulk, Styles Fuller, Emersyn McKeown, Dawson McKeown, Beckham Winn, Brooks McKeown, Evelyn Rae Davis, Nolan Davis, Tate Davis, Redick Prestwood, Jo Kate Prestwood, J.B. Bell, and Maggie Sue Bell; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

 Serving as active pallbearers will be Larry Goodson, Byron Goodson, Jerry Goodson, Terry Goodson, Greg Boose, Brandon Davis, and Kelsey Prestwood.

 The family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice for their loving care and kindness shown to Mr. Goodson and his family and also to Sharon Webster, his caregiver, during his illness.