William "Billy" Dickson of El Dorado, AR, went to be with the Lord December 24, 2023 at the age of 85, after a long-fought battle with COPD and lung cancer. Billy was born August 25, 1938 in Shreveport, LA. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Perdue Dickson, his mother Lois Pyle, his step-father, Morgan Pyle, his "Granny" Doris Gage and his beloved dog, Dolly (doot.)
Billy, Bill, "Billy D", George, Daddy Pop, Papa, Big Papa were all names associated with Billy. His favorite were the last four. Billy was raised in North Louisiana and South Arkansas. In his younger years, he could be found on the Ouachita River near Felsenthal which flowed into the "Grand MA-REE" as he loved to call it, either working for his "Granny" at her marina or just fishing. Billy tried his hand at many different occupations. He sold cookware in the early 60's which is how he learned to be such a great cook. After awhile he was able to acquire a liquor store in Dodge City, AR . He spent the next 10 years working that business with the help of some interesting characters,(Pap and Wayne) as well as his "adopted" son Johnny Cook, and his mom and step dad.
Besides his family, Billy's first love was fishing. He was an angler at heart and began to fish in tournaments around Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Georgia. He was able to fish with some of the greats along the way-Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston, Bill Dance to name a few. But his favorite might have been the one he fished with his daughter, Lisa , in 1971, when she was 11 years old. They won 3rd place in the Bass Masters "father/son" tournament at Toledo Bend Lake. Most of the next several years of "vacations" were bass tournaments. Martha and the girls followed him to almost all of them and the girls certainly have stories of their adventures.
During the early 70's Billy closed the liquor store and went to work for the Union County Sheriff's department where he spent the next 20 years serving as a deputy, a dispatcher and eventually the head chef for the inmates in the county jail. He was an entrepreneur at heart and was always searching for ways to make his "blue million". He was a dreamer as well, and very creative which led to some of the most unique Barbecue pits and concession trailers in South Arkansas. He and Martha would travel to festivals and events where he was able to do what he loved, cooking and serving people. He gave more away than he charged for, so he never made that "blue" million.
In his mid thirties Billy was filling in for a friend at his liquor store in Strong when he had an altercation with a customer that resulted in him being shot in the leg and nearly killed. The injury left him permanently crippled but he stubbornly worked hard and was able to at least walk without assistance after a while, but always with a limp.
Sadly, in 1985, he lost his first wife Martha when she died of a brain aneurysm. He was lost and deeply depressed. By the grace of God after a few months he reconnected with his high school sweetheart "Rose". While it was a difficult time, Rosemary was just what Billy needed and has been his soulmate for the last 38 years. It has truly been a God-story.
Nothing made Billy more proud than his children, his biological children with Martha- Lisa, Lynda and Lori and Rosemary's children, Gina and Chris Smith and the one he treated like a son-Johnny Cook. They will miss his sense of humor. The nicknames he used for each of them will never be forgotten (or understood by anyone outside of his immediate family). If you think being called "fool" is a term of endearment, you might be related to Billy Dickson!
Survivors include his wife Rose Mary Dickson of El Dorado His children, Lisa Simmons ( Ron) of Lewisville ,Tx. Lynda Mote ( Marty) of Little Rock, AR, Lori RIgdon ( Terry) of El Dorado, AR, Chris Smith of El Dorado and GIna Smith of El Dorado. 9 Grandchildren Justin Simmons ( Amy) San Antonio Tx, Daniel Simmons, Lewisville, Allie B. Stuckey ( Timothy) Texas, Haley Shelby ( Mitchell) of Little Rock, AR, Mandy Manca ( Billy) of Little Rock, AR, Cory Mote (Summer) of Little Rock, Ar , Josh Rigdon ( Britni) of El Dorado, AR, Jordan Rigdon ( Kaitlyn)of El Dorado, AR, Kirk Rigdon ( Alyssa) of El Dorado, AR, great grandchildren, siblings: Ann "Tootsie" Ryals ( J.B.) of Mooringsport, LA, Sue Hewitt of Shreveport, La , James Pyle, of Mooringsport, LA, Virginia Waller ( Kevin) of Three Creeks, AR, Celeste Ware ( Rush) of Haynesville, LA and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express special gratitude to his doctor J.P. Mobley and staff, nurse Alma Turner and the hospice staff as well as his son, Chris Smith for his 24 hour dedication and care during his illness.
A celebration of his life will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Perry's funeral home chapel. Visitation will be at the chapel at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Arkansas Hospice or Healing Strong.org.