Billy Joe "BJ" Goodson
1949 - 2020

Billy Joe Goodson was born May 21, 1949 at Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., Ar. to Don William & Virginia Doris Smith Goodson. He married Ruby Aloisia Eakins June 15, 1968. They divorced March 8, 1971. B. J.'s final rank was Corproal in the Marine Corps. Nothing more is known about his time in the service. =============================================== Bill J. Goodson, 71, of Van Buren passed away June 8, 2020. He was born May 21, 1949, in Fort Smith to Don and Virginia Goodson and was one of 14 children. B.J. served as a U.S. Marine in the Vietnam War and retired from the civil service at Fort Chaffee. He was known for his compassion, sense of humor, tireless work ethic and love for his family and dogs. He was a master of trades and could fix or build anything. He never stopped moving, learning and striving to be a better person. He will be missed by everyone who had the privilege to call him a friend. He is survived by a son, Harley Goodson; a daughter, Cyndi Goodson; two grandsons, Elijah Goodson-Finley and Mason Goodson; a brother, Dennis Goodson; and eight sisters, Wanda Chappell, Doris Hall, Sandra Smith, Brenda Henderson, Connie Bedwell, Cheryl Eubanks, Rita Harris and Sabrina Duncan. Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith, under the direction of Lewis Funeral Chapel.