Ray C. Wood 80, of Hazen died August 8, 2019 at the Des Arc Nursing & Rehab Center. Ray was born March 3, 1939 to Frank and Nora Raines Wood. He was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his wife, Beverly Phifer Wood of Hazen whom he married on January 31, 1981; his brother, Roy Wood and wife, Peggy of Carrollton, Texas and his nephews, Tim and Keith Wood and their families. Ray was employed at the VanHeusen Shirt factory in Brinkley for many years and later at Producers Rice Mill in Stuttgart for 29 years until his retirement.
Ray like to travel, take care of cows and loved his Boston Terrier, “Duke”.
Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M., Sunday, August 11, 2019 at the Center Point Missionary Baptist Church North of Hazen. Bro. Billy Booth will be officiating. Burial will be in Shady Grove Cemetery in Clarendon, Arkansas. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., Saturday at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen. Pallbearers will be Dale Perry, Matt Perry, Jerry White, Greg Shelman, Scott White, and Eric Evans. Honorary Pallbearers will be Kenny King, Donnie “Oogie” Holmes and Ricky Avants. A special thanks to the Des Arc Nursing Home and to Arkansas Hospice for their care and love during the past few months.
My deepest condolences and prayers to all of you during this difficult time. Mr. Ray was always such a sweet man.
So sorry, Beverly. Prayers for you.
My biggest buddy in Clarendon during the timeframe of 1943-52 and then during the summers when I stayed in Clarendon with my grandparents and aunt from 1953-56. He was 4 years older than I was and always helped protect me during our playing together and when other big boys tried to boss us around and fight us. Ray was there for me!
Saw Ray about a year ago north of Hazen at his home and met his dog and wife, initially thought it was his daughter. LOL We had a lot of fun talking about the old Clarendon days and I could tell he heard everything I said and would say “yes” or “right” and then smiled a lot at me before I had to leave. I loved Ray and we would go out to eat in Hazen occasionally, as I worked in Hazen quite often in the 1998-99 timeframe.
Bless the family at this time, and my thoughts are with Ray as he looks down at us from Heaven and his new home.
Dr. Sandy Hutson Springdale, AR
Post #2 : Sorry I can not make the funeral services this afternoon. Unable to drive 8 hours in one day. My condolences again to the family, his close friends in recent years and to the pallbearers who are honoring Ray Wood today. Rest in peace Ray, my very close buddy in the 1940s and 50s. I am saddened by our loss.
Sanford Hutson III formerly from Clarendon and Stuttgart