Dwayne Branch

Billy Dwayne Branch age 84 of London died Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home in Russellville. He was born August 20, 1933 at Scottsville to the late Willis F. and Clara Jones Branch. He was a member of the Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church and a lover of Southern Gospel, country and some classical music. He enjoyed reading immensely, especially Western History, as well as studying various cultures. He also enjoyed traveling and experiencing first-hand the places he read about. His greatest joy was conversing with people he met and making new friends wherever he went.

Another enjoyable experience he had was serving in the Army where he was stationed in Ft. Riley, Kansas, Ft. Carson, Colorado and in Guam, where he was named soldier of the month in the Far East and received a special leave in Tokyo, Japan in recognition of the award and a promotion. He was commended as a "soldier of outstanding ability and character".

He spent a career of 34 years with General Telephone Company as a cable splicer and cable acceptance tester in the Construction and Engineering Department, starting in Southern California and spending the last 19 years in Jacksonville, Arkansas.

After becoming disabled from three strokes, he received rehabilitation at Russellville Nursing and Rehab and Legacy Heights in Russellville where he enjoyed making many friends of both residents and staff. This rehabilitation allowed him to reside at home and receive outpatient physical therapy and water therapy where he continued making friends. When asked about his outlook on life, he replied, "I enjoy living"!

He was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Terry Branch.

Survivors include his wife, Priscilla Cochran Branch of London; sisters, Bette Barga (Jack) of Live Oak, Florida, Wanda Williams of West Memphis, AR; a brother, Garry Branch of Russellville; eight nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 3:30P.M., Saturday at the Mt. Carmel Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Bro. Don Irwin, Rev. Lynell Brooks, and the Rev. Logan Dixon officiating. Burial will be in East Point Cemetery. Visitation will be held Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 2:30P.M. to 3:30P.M. at the church prior to the service.

Pallbearers will be Tommy Metz, Brad Alvey, Gordon Higgs, Tim Sweeden, Kenneth Cochran and Charles Cochran.

Honorary Pallbearers will be T.A. Metz, Matthew Metz, Jason Leavell, Carlton Bowden and Don Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mt. Carmel Cumberland Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 1470 Mt. Carmel Rd., London, Arkansas 72847 or Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home, 220 John Babish Lane Russellville, Arkansas 72801.

Arrangements by Cornwell Funeral Home in Dardanelle. Online Guest Book and Condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com