Billy Joe Ivey, 88, of Jacksonville, Arkansas, born June 29, 1936.

On October 9, 2024, Joe took his "last ride" from his Jacksonville Fire Department to Baptist Springhill Hospital. Joe served with the department from September 1, 1971 to July 2, 1994. He loved his Jacksonville-Cabot-Cato communities. On October 21, 2024, he left the hospital climbing the stairs to heaven to walk those streets of gold with the Lord, family and friends. Joe was the son of Terry and Dora Ivey, one of 20 children, all raised in the Jacksonville-McAlmont communities.

He is survived by his children, Vicki (Russ) Allbritton, Jerry (Deborah) Ivey, Carla Ivey-Brown, Dena Ramos, and Steven (April) Lambert; his beloved of 15 years, Laura Lambert; sisters, Peggy, Doris, Carlion, Joe Ann, and Rebecca; grandchildren, Shana Wilson, Spencer Ivey, Alex Reid, Travis Ivey, and Jennifer Ivey-Holt; and 27 great-grandchildren.

In heaven he's meeting his siblings, Arnold, Marvin, Leo, Wayne, Essie Marie, Ruby, Dorothy, Juanita, Betty Jean, Mary Ellen, Terry Ann, James Edward, Johnny Ray, Vernon; and step-son, William Bryant.

Joe served in the United States Navy, 4 years during the Korean War as a Gunner's Mate on the USS Weiss and USS Catamount, where he lost the majority of his hearing. He was a 60-year Master Mason serving as Past Master at the Cabot and Jacksonville Lodges. He was a current member of the Jacinto Lodge 216 in Jacksonville. A member of the Eastern Star at the Cabot Lodge. A member of the Jacksonville DAV (Disabled American Veterans). He loved being on the beanbag baseball team at the Jacksonville Senior Center. He was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church-Cabot and Jacksonville First Assembly of God Church.

In death, Joe became an "Organ Donor in Spirit". Joe never met a stranger, he loved life and was always helping others, building his birdhouses for family and friends. Most of all, he loved all of his family.

The family would like to thank the Jacksonville Fire Department for all they have done for Joe and the family. Thanks to the ICU-North at Springhill, the doctors and nurses who took such wonderful care of Joe and the family with compassion and love – we love ya'll.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00AM on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at Second Baptist Church, 1117 N James St, Jacksonville, Arkansas with burial to follow at Arkansas Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00PM on Friday, October 25, 2024 at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home.