Billy Roy Wilson

A memorial service for Billy Roy Wilson will be held at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, AR, at 1 p.m., on November 8, 2025, under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.

Billy Roy was born in December of 1939 at the old St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock, AR, the son of Roy and Vada Bowen Wilson. He was raised in Forester and Waldron, AR. He attended the University of Arkansas and Hendrix College, where he graduated in 1962. He graduated from Vanderbilt School of Law in 1965. He was a prosecutor in Texarkana, and served in the U.S. Navy for three years, five months, 22 days, and five hours. He was honorably discharged in November of 1969.

Billy Roy practiced law at Wright Lindsey Jennings, then McMath, Leatherman, & Woods, and then with Wilson, Engstrom, Corum, Dudley, & Coulter until 1993, when he became the first U.S. District Judge nominated by President Clinton.

He enjoyed an eclectic group of friends that included people from all walks of life. He took great pleasure in these friendships, some of which lasted a lifetime of 85 years. Judge’s second home (and second family) were across Gregory, Burke, and Winner. For 53 years he traveled to the area religiously to visit, ride mule, hunt, and guest-sit the Federal bench, among other things.

Billy Roy Wilson, age 85, died October 27, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Cathi Compton, with whom he spent 28 joyful years. He is also survived by Jo Luck and their children, Beth (Paul) Gray and Mark (Vy) Wilson; his stepson, Marcus Vowell; and stepdaughters, Maggie (Matthew) Benson and Whitley (Sean) Hobbs. He had a beautiful, blended family with many step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; the youngest of these, Mary Helen, commanded much of his attention, and he spent the last four-and-a-half years doting on her and doing as she asked.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Roxanne Wilson; his brother, Dick Wilson; and his parents.

Memorials may be made to Hendrix College, a favorite charity, or by forgiving a lowly sinner.