Mr. T. L. Bilkey, age 94, of Cabot, Arkansas passed away on Monday, December 9, 2019. He was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri on October 5, 1925 to his parents Thomas Stone Bilkey and Ethel Armour Bilkey.
T. L. joined the U. S. Army while still in high school and went on to serve his country in Europe during WWII. After completing his service in the Army, he returned home and resumed civilian life. He met and married his dear wife, Fredia and together they began their family. T. L. went to work for the Union Pacific Rail Road, ultimately working as a Train Dispatcher in the Poplar Bluff – St. Louis area for over 40 years. In the mid 1970’s T.L. and Fredia had moved their family to the Sherwood area. He worked for Delta Dental another 20 years before retiring. T.L. continued to learn new skills even after retiring. He started learning to fly in 1972 and obtained his pilots license.
A member of the Sherwood Church of the Nazarene, T. L. lived life for his Lord. He was a servant and helper to others, a prayer warrior and encourager to family, friends and strangers alike. He exemplified kindness and gentleness in combination with a keen sense of humor.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Fredia; daughter, Sondra Bilkey; sister, Arvella Hansen and brother, Tom Allen. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Diana and her husband, Ernie Ketcherside of Georgetown, TX; sister, Kay Yount of Kenner, LA; grandchildren, Kathy Plezia and husband, Andy, of Sherwood; Darren Rice and wife, Jennifer, of Cabot; Shawn Ketcherside and wife, Nancy, of Prosper, TX; Benjamin Ketcherside and wife, Lori, of The Woodlands, TX and Matthew Ketcherside and wife, Becky, of Frisco, TX. Great grandchildren Tyler (Ashten) Plezia, Hope Plezia, Megan Rice, Declan Rice and Sydney Ketcherside, Christopher Ketcherside, Kylee Anne Ketcherside and Abigail Ketcherside.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home, 7724 Landers Rd., North Little Rock, Arkansas. Funeral services will be held at 9:00 am, Thursday, December 12, 2019 at the funeral home with Pastor Roy Edwards officiating. Burial will follow immediately after the service at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 W. Maryland, Sherwood, AR with the U. S. Army Honor Team rendering military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of T. L. may be made to Hospice Home Care, 2200 S. Bowman Rd., Little Rock, AR 72211.
