Willie Carl "Bill" Massey, 85, of Marmaduke died Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2004, at his home.

He was born Dec. 5, 1918, to the late Oscar Laflette and Claudia Ann (Griffin) Massey in Dekalb, Miss., and was married Feb. 10, 1940, to Edna Cloise Tucker, who preceded him in death Nov. 30, 2001.

Mr. Massey was a World War II Army veteran serving in Germany. He was of the Baptist faith, a farmer and boat worker.

He also was preceded in death by a daughter, Carla Renee Massey; three brothers, Rufus Massey, Rezia Jarvis "Runt" Massey and Henry Massey; two sisters, "Little" Edna Massey Porter and Aline Massey Walker; three grandchildren, Gregory Massey, Keith Smith and Candy LaFerney, and one great-grandson, Nathan Dowdy.

Survivors include five sons and four daughters-in-law, Larry and Debra Massey of Troy, Ill., Jimmy and Karen (Susie) Massey of Ward, Doug Massey of Marmaduke, Kenneth and Sharry Massey of Paragould and Zane and Pam Massey of Grove, Okla.; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Martha Sue Merriman of Ward, Willodean and Larry Dukes of Marmaduke and Dreeta and Carlos Wallace of Marmaduke; one sister, Agatha Massey Cravin of Lepanto, 21 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were Saturday, Oct. 9, at Irby Funeral Home Chapel in Marmaduke with Bro. Laramie LeQuieu officiating. Burial was in Providence Cemetery with Irby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers were Gary Dane Cunningham, Steven Massey, Tim Wallace, William "Bill" DuFau, Joe Dorsey, Brian Smith, Adam Hammitt, Joshua Massey, Robert Dukes and Joseph Sims.