Mr. Billy Wayne Dison

Funeral services for Mr. Billy Wayne Dison, of Gilbert, will be held at 2:00PM Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church near Spearsville with Bro. Mike Senn and Bro. Bobby Ensminger officiating. Interment will follow at Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Community Memorial Winnsboro. Visitation will be held from 1:00PM until time of service Tuesday at the church.
Bill was born August 9, 1942 in Junction City, AR and passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Gilbert, LA on August 23, 2024, at the age of 82. He was born to the union of Varner “Slim” Dison and Ida Mae Pennington Dison, who had made their home in the Caledonia community near Junction City, Ark., just north of the Louisiana state line. The family moved a few miles south to the Rum Center community near Spearsville, La. when Bill was a teenager. Bill grew up learning from his father the art of planting, growing, and harvesting produce, with watermelons being a focal interest. Later in life, Bill used what he had learned from his father as he helped his son Mark grow, harvest and sell watermelons.
Bill was a member of Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church in Spearsville. He worked as an auctioneer for many years, as he owned and managed the weekly auction in Junction City. A natural-born salesman and trader, Bill enjoyed buying and selling all types of merchandise. He owned and operated a grocery store and a furniture manufacturing facility and store in Junction City for some time. He also operated an auto body repair business at his home for several years. Metal detecting was his hobby, and he always dreamed of unearthing buried treasure. In his later years, Bill enjoyed inviting his son Mark, grandsons, Michael and Nathanael, and other family members and friends to go along on his treasure hunts to help him. Bill loved spending time with his family. Along with his biological children and grandchildren, his stepchildren and step-great-grandchildren were very special to him and were a big part of his life over about the past twenty years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; one granddaughter, Anna Gail Meade; five brothers, Varner Dison Jr, Gerald Dison, Robert Dison, Kenneth Joe Dison, and Alvin Dison; and one sister, Ruth Dison Ward.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Donna Reeves Dison; sons, Billy E. Dison and Phillip “Mark” Dison (Ashley); daughters, Sharon Dison Meade (Roger) and Bonnie Dison Senn (Mike); stepson, Steven “Stevie” Reeves (Betina); stepdaughter, Wendy Reeves Hall (Jim); 22 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Pallbearers will be Michael Senn, Webster Senn, Anthony Senn, Cole Dison, Steven Reeves II, Justin Rials, Joshua Reeves, and Jedediah Rials. Honorary pallbearer will be Jim Hall.
The family would like to thank Maggie Warner with Compassus hospice care services for her kindness and dedication.