William “Sonny” Stowe of Newport, Arkansas, departed this life on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at the age of 94.
He was born August 17, 1925, in Augusta, Arkansas, the son of William “Bill” and Etta (Bottoms) Stowe.
On December 15, 1949, Sonny Stowe married Ernestine “Tennie” Winston, and they were married 70 years when she passed away in January 2020.
Stowe was a United States Navy veteran, serving on the USS Randolph during World War II. He was a lineman for Arkansas Power and Light Company.
He retired with a perfect, accident-free record after 35 years of service.
Stowe was a collector, whose main hobbies were working at his barn, and raising his horses.
He was a member of the Newport First Baptist Church, where he loved attending and teaching Sunday School.
Stowe was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Ernestine “Tennie” Stowe; one brother, James Robert Stowe; two sisters, Willa Mae Jennings and Norma Taylor; and his parents.
He is survived by two daughters, Debby Aldridge and husband, Jeff, of Salado, Texas, and Cindy Black and husband, Kenny, of Jonesboro, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Laura Wiles, and husband, Josh of Lakeway, Texas, Ken Black, Jr. and wife, Ashten, of Jonesboro, Brad Ray and wife, Adria, of Round Rock, Texas, and Jase Black and fiancé, Mallory Jordan, of Jonesboro, Arkansas; six great-grandchildren, Jackson and Claire Wiles of Lakeway, Texas, Vivian Ray of Round Rock, Texas, Gunnar Newman of Jonesboro, and Nolan and Ella Black of Jonesboro; a special neighbor and friend, Larry Cheshier; many relatives, and a lifetime of friends.
Funeral services were Wednesday at First Baptist Church of Newport, with interment following in Walnut Grove Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Ken Black, Jase Black, Brad Ray, Kenny Black, Jeff Aldridge, David Black, and Ben Black. His Sunday School Class and Larry Cheshier will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
