“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” – II Corinthians 5:8 KJV

On February 21, 1943, in Dequincy, Louisiana, Willie Buck, Jr. was born to Willie and Elva Buck. He was the oldest of six children. After graduating from high school in Dequincy, he attended Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. He received his master’s degree from East Texas State University in Texarkana, Texas. He furthered his education in Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama.

In 1968, he and Bobbie Wilford were united in holy matrimony. Two children were added to this union; a daughter, Kimberly and a son, Javier. Later, they welcomed with love their grandson Jerrion, whom they reared as a son.

*Career*

Willie Jr. began his teaching career in 1967 at McMittress High School in Emerson, Arkansas. When his family moved to Hope, AR in 1975, he was employed as an instructor at Red River Vocational Technical School, which was later renamed the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope (UACCH) and is now known as the University of Arkansas at Hope/Texarkana (UAHT).

In 2010, Willie Jr. was named Educator of the Year by the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce. That same year, he retired as the Dean of the Business & Technology Division at UACCH. The Willie Buck Endowed Scholarship, which is given to a deserving student majoring in business, was instituted in his honor at UAHT in 2011.

*Church Work*

During the pastorage of Rev. L B. Beard, Deacon Buck united with Lonoke Missionary Baptist Church. At Lonoke, he served as Chairman of Deacons, Financial Clerk, Sunday school teacher for adult men, youth department, and the director of the Sunday evening “Seed” program. He was also chief cook for the Mother’s Day breakfasts, and he helped wherever he was needed at Lonoke.

Deacon Buck became a certified dean of Christian Education for the local assembly; a certified teacher in the Arkansas Consolidated Missionary Baptist State Congress of Christian Education; and he was a member of Gideon International. Each role garnered him many friends.

In the Southwest District he served on the executive board. He was also the Assistant Dean of Christian Education and a certified teacher in the Congress of Christian Education.

Not a stranger to service, Deacon Buck also served on the finance committee in different departments of the Association, and as finance committee chairperson in Section II.

Deacon Buck taught in district and state leadership schools in the following areas for which he was certified: Effective Bible Reading, Christian Stewardship, Organizing the Church for Christian Education and The Work of the Layman.

*Community Service*

Willie Jr. was first elected to the Hope Public School Board, representing Zone 3 in 2010. He served faithfully and attended numerous state and national trainings/workshops for the betterment of the school district and his position on the board.

In 2016, he received the Pinnacle Award from the Arkansas School Board Association for attaining at least 200 hours of continuing education. During his ten-year tenure on the board, he served as secretary, vice-president and in 2016 was installed as president. He retired his gavel on February 17, 2020, due to health issues.

Deacon Buck’s life was a reflection of his favorite scripture, Psalms 1. He transitioned to his Heavenly home on September 28, 2022 at the age of 79, surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded there by his parents, Willie and Elva Buck; three brothers, W.J., L.J. and Edward Buck; and one sister, Verna Armstead.

He leaves to mourn his passing his devoted wife of 54 years, Bobbie; daughter, Kimberly (Stacy) Johnson of Sherwood, AR; son, Javier (Shelley) Buck of Little Rock, AR; grandson/son, Jerrion Buck of Hope, AR; granddaughters, Kaisha Johnson, Madison Brown and Bailey Buck; grandsons, Jalen Buck and Justin Buck; great-granddaughters, Destiny Simpson and Peyton Brown; brother, Curly Buck of Houston, TX; sister-in-law, Maxine Carpenter of Carson, California; many nephews, nieces and cousins; Lonoke Missionary Baptist Church family; and a host of friends.

+SERVICES+

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022

*Public Visitation: 5-7 pm CST @ Lonoke Baptist Church | 702 S. Hazel St., Hope, AR

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2022

*Homegoing Service: 11:00 am CST @ Lonoke Baptist Church | 702 S. Hazel St., Hope, AR

Pastor Alvin L. Hunter, Eulogist and Officiant

*Interment: Scott Memorial Gardens | Perrytown, AR

Honored Service Provider:

McFadden & Hitchye Funeral Enterprises www.mandhfuneral.com

30+ years of experience