Billie Joyce Ward Crouch was born on August 10, 1937 in Black Oak, Arkansas to Hugh and Alma (Clark) Ward. She died on February 24, 2011 at the age of 73 at Cypress Point Nursing Center in Dexter, Missouri with family and close friends at her side.

Preceding her in death were her parents and her nine brothers and sisters, Golden Ward, Vera Cannady, Leta Woodsmall, Palos Roberson, Beatrice McInturff, Imogene Wood, Ada Washington, Claude Ward, and James Ward. One sister, Faye Rushton, of Searcy, Arkansas survives.

Billie married her high school sweetheart, Don Mack Crouch, on August 30, 1957 in East St. Louis, Illinois. They were happily married for fifty-two years. Don preceded her in death on November 2, 2009. Surviving are her four children; Penny (Crouch) Korte and Jerry of Metropolis, Illinois, Donna (Crouch) Christian and Bobby of Dexter, Missouri, Jerry Crouch and Ronda of Indianapolis, Indiana and Holly (Crouch) Sindle of Dexter, Missouri.

Billie leaves behind thirteen grandchildren that she adored. Surviving grandchildren include: Jeffrey, Jason and John Wesley Korte, Bobbie (Christian) Robertson, Amanda, Randy, Kelsey and Abbey Christian, Laura and Joshua Crouch and Brandon, Baylee and Benjamin Sindle.

She also leaves behind twelve great grandchildren: Thomas Bosecker, Emilee, Hunter and Case Korte Stony, Brady and Cody Robertson, Harley and Halie Anglin and Elizabeth McGhee and Jeremiah and Lindsay Christian.

Billie was a faithful servant to God and a member of the church of Christ. In her youth, she would sing in gospel quartets. One of her greatest passions was teaching the Bible class in Thursday School at the church of Christ for over twenty years.

When she wasn't rocking grandbabies or teaching Bible classes, you would find her right along side her sweetheart in their recliners cheering on her favorite redbird team, the Cardinals.

Billie was a woman with an immense faith. Even when crippling arthritis took over and her body was in pain, her faith never wavered. She was an inspiration to everyone's life that she touched.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 26, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. at the Rainey Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at the Dexter Church of Christ with Gary Washington, Clyde Jacques and Jim Faughn officiating. Interment will follow in the Harvey Chapel Cemetery at Marmaduke, Arkansas.