William Ray Overton, age 87 of Malvern, died Thursday evening, October 2, 2008, in the Hot Spring County Medical Center. He was born in Tulip, Arkansas on October 5, 1920 to the late William Thomas and Mary Ellen Lawrence Overton. Reared and educated in Hot Spring County, Ray worked for the Natural Gas Pipeline as an equipment operator. He was an Army veteran of World War 2, and was a Baptist. Ray was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and camping.

He is survived by his wife, Oveditha Riggan Overton of Malvern, to whom he was married on May 16, 1942; by three brothers, Curtis Overton of Kingsland, Arkansas, Haywood Overton of Camden, and Glendy Overton of Terrell, Texas; by one sister, Lilla May Harrison of Benton; by four grandsons, Buddy, Aaron, Lucian, and Brandon Overton, a step-grandson, Neil Webb; by four great-grandsons, Nicholas, Adam, Jordan, and Gavin Overton, and a step-great-granddaughter, Gabriele Webb.

Ray was preceded in death by two sons, William Ray Overton, Jr., and Gaylon Overton; by three brothers, Roy, Dewitt, and Cecil Overton, and by two sisters, Ione Leath and Gertrude Huffman.

His funeral will be held at three o'clock Sunday afternoon, October 5, 2008 in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Brothers Wesley Howard and Maxie Haynes officiating. Interment will follow in Tulip Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Buddy Overton, Aaron Overton, Lucian Overton, Brandon Overton, Russell Overton, Tommy Overton, Neil Webb, and Steve Bracy.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Bruce Burton, The Crossing staff, and the ICU staff at Hot Spring County Medical Center. The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Saturday evening from six until eight o'clock.

>Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.