Howell B McKay

Howell Brewer McKay peacefully passed from this life, surrounded by family, on July 29, 2018 in Pencil Bluff, AR. He was born February 24, 1939 in Hot Springs, AR, one hour and forty five minutes after his twin sister, Fay, to Roy and Ruby (Stewart) McKay.

He enlisted in the Air Force in January of 1958 during the Korean War where he received training in Radio Relay Equipment Repair. He was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany and also served in Seoul, Korea until his service ended in January of 1964. He married his wife of 55 years, Johnnie Fay (Smith) McKay, on January 17, 1963. Together, they raised four children: Leita, Cheril, Stacy, and Ashley. During his lifetime, he was a radio repair man, electrician, plumber, heavy equipment operator, machinist, road/bridge construction worker, auto mechanic, truck driver, carpenter and millwright. Throughout his life he enjoyed going to deer camp with family and friends to hunt, and tinkering with anything that needed fixed or presented him with a challenge. After retiring, he could be seen visiting at Newman’s Garage and the local coffee hangouts in town, but his favorite thing was returning home to aggravate his wife. He was witty to the core and fluent in sarcasm, rarely putting his tongue back in his mouth, and he loved handing out M&Ms and Tootsie Rolls to his dog and grandkids.

He is survived by his twin sister, Fay Qualls and husband, Delmer, of Story, AR. He is also survived by one son, Stacy McKay, of Sims, AR and three daughters, Leita Spears (Kerry) of Washington, AR, Cheril Ridenhour (Freddie), of Waldron, AR, and Ashley Imperiali (Travis) of Waldron, AR. Grandchildren: Nick (Whitney) Spears, David (Amanda) Spears, Brian (Mindy) McKay, Kansas (Jeremy) Hunt, Kristen (Brandon) Mack, Colton Knox, BJ Spears, Summer Imperiali, Travin Imperiali, Stephanie Ridenhour, Christa Ridenhour, Shawn Ridenhour, Celeste (Bob) McClellan, numerous great-grandchildren, a large extended family and numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Ruby McKay, his wife, Johnnie, only six weeks prior to his passing, brother’s Ernest McKay, Earl McKay, Plemon McKay, Leon McKay, and Bill McKay, and sisters Cuba Jean and Coney Lou McKay. He was also preceded by his little brown dog, Brindy.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 1, 2018 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at Thornton Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Muddy Creek Church of God with Brother Pat Ray Biggs officiating. Interment will follow at Reed Cemetery in Story, AR.   Pallbearers are Brian McKay, Nick Spears, David Spears, Freddie Ridenhour, Kerry Spears, Travis Imperiali, Colton Knox, Travin Imperiali, BJ Spears, Brandon Mack, and Albert “Taco” Villasenor.

Honorary Pallbearers: Lisa & Jim Bradley from Maguire Lane Living, AG Morrison, Carl Rice, and Willie Newman. Arrangements were made under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home of Mount Ida, AR. Guest register at www.thorntonfh.com