Billy Soden Obituary

Billy Don Soden Jr. laid his paintbrush down for the final time on August 12, 2025. He was surrounded by his children, who he loved more than anything, friends and family.

Not many people get to live their lives to the fullest like Billy Don did. Billy Don was charming and handsome and caused a stir wherever he went. Everyone was drawn to Billy Don, he made friends everywhere he went. His sharp wit and ornery sense of humor kept everyone laughing when around him.

Billy Don grew up in Tuckerman and attended Tuckerman Schools, class of 1984. He moved from Tuckerman, Arkansas, to Anderson, Indiana, in 1984. He worked on a dairy farm for several years. He then started his painting business in 1992 with nothing but an assortment of paint tools and his grandpa's ladder. His business became very successful.

In 2002, he opened The Southern Belle, an Arkansas catfish restaurant featuring Memphis-style pulled pork. Billy Don traveled to Arkansas once a month and bought tamales from Lacky's, which became a favorite on the menu.

In 2005, he made the decision to move his family back to Arkansas and, starting from scratch, turned a small painting company into a family business that will live on.

Billy Don was an avid collector. He began collecting Indiana milk bottles in the mid-nineties and garnered a collection of over 300 milk bottles from Madison County. While he was in Indiana, he began collecting Arkansas milk bottles. However, they were so rare that he had only acquired 8 at that time. When he moved to Arkansas, his focus became solely Arkansas milk bottle. He now has the largest milk bottle collection in the state of Arkansas, with many rare bottles. He is a member of the National Association of Milk Bottle Collectors and was featured in the Inside Jackson County magazine.

In 2006, he bought Bud Bailey's Service Station in Tuckerman to operate Soden and Sons out of. He eventually started collecting memorabilia from Jackson County and antique paint signs and painting memorabilia. Today it has become the Rock n Roll Highway 67 Club Museum.

Billy Don was an avid historian, learning from his Uncle James Logan Morgan. He collected bits of history from Jackson County, with his main focus on Tuckerman.

Billy Don is preceded by his grandparents, Orbie and Ruby Soden and James and Irene Morgan; his father, Billy Don Soden Sr, and his son, Nathan Kade Soden.

He leaves behind his children, Kendall and Whitney Soden, and granddaughter, Sheridan Kendall Soden of Indianapolis, Indiana, Kennedy Lyn Soden (Curt Farley) of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Kyler James and Katelyn Soden and grandchildren,

Karter James Soden, Kensley Grace Lawson Soden and Keeley Kruz Soden of Tuckerman, Arkansas, and Morgan Kambelle and Ethan Hunt and granddaughter Konlee Kade Hunt of Powhatan, Arkansas; Bonnie Watkins, his partner in life, who diligently took care of Billy Don in his last days and hours; his grandson Logan; his mother, Mary Jane Morgan Coats. She took him under her wing in the late 1980's and taught him how to be a painter. They primarily painted in Memphis and he learned the valuable tools of the trade from her. She instilled in him the value of a job well done; his sisters, Beki Soden Dunagan and Misty Soden; nephews, Conner Goss and Kyle Tiffee; niece, Rachel Tiffee Howard; several aunts, uncles and cousins; and a lifetime of friends.

Pete Jiles made a mighty impact on 'Little Bill'. Pete was like a brother to Billy Don Sr. and met Little Bill when he was only two months old. Pete watched him grow up and took every opportunity to help and guide him. His constant presence in Little Bill's life helped shape him into the strong-willed man he was.

He also leaves behind Ash, his beloved Border Collie, who rode in the truck with him everywhere he went.

There will be a visitation for his friends, family and community on Monday, August 18, 2025 from 5:00-7:00. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 19, at Jackson's Newport Funeral Home Chapel, with interment following at Gracelawn Cemetery.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Jeff McGinnis, Benny Malone, Jake Nunemaker, Charlie Bell, Kyle Tiffee, and James Weaver.

Honorary Pallbearers are Pete Jiles, Jimmy Darling, Ricky Doyle, William (Bill) Soden, Bob Jones, Kenneth Grady, Jr., and members of the Tuckerman Class of 1984.

As we lay him to rest, we will all be thinking about how much he loved our family. His presence was so big and the hole he leaves behind is enormous.

Psalm 34:18

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit