Billie Buck

Billie Jo Buck, 93, went to meet her Lord and Savior January 12, 2026 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was born in Bismarck, Arkansas on January 29, 1932 to John Henderson Hardage and Virginia (Brown) Hardage. Billie was an outstanding high school basketball player in Bismarck and graduated there in 1950.

Although she briefly moved to Little Rock to enter nursing school, her plans changed when she married Ydell Buck in 1951 and settled in Arkadelphia. She worked in the Levi factory and provided in-home childcare for many families. Billie was devoted to her church, Landmark Missionary Baptist, and was particularly active in the Sunday dinner outreach to Henderson and Ouachita college students. Her chicken and dressing was in high demand from students and family alike, and she gifted her homemade peanut patties to all her lucky friends at the holidays.

After moving to Hot Springs she worked as a reading aide specialist for Lake Hamilton Schools. She became an active member at Oaklawn Baptist Church. Billie is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Garlene Ledbetter and Marsha Shepherd, and her youngest daughter, Teresa Jo Buck. She is survived by her daughter Deborah Bryan (John) and grandsons, Spencer (Lacey) and Stuart (Nicole). She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Blair, Brady and Owen Bryan, and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

A Graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 15th, at the Bismarck Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.