Murray Monroe Williams

Murray Monroe Williams was born September 14, 1943, in Jacksonville, Arkansas, the only son of the late Murray Mayhon Williams and Wanna Blasingame Williams. He went to Heaven to meet his mother and father on January 16, 2024. Monroe, as he was known by all who knew and loved him, was raised in Jacksonville, and later moved permanently to Arkansas County.

Monroe grew up working on his family farm. After graduating from Jacksonville High School, Monroe worked in the mobile home manufacturing industry, last working for Allstate Mobile Home Manufacturing Company which later became Fleetline. Upon leaving Fleetline soon after his mother’s death in 1977, Monroe moved to Duck Lane near the woods and waters he would know and love; an area generally referred to as Bayou Meto. Monroe first came to Bayou Meto and Duck Lane in 1965. Monroe would grow to love, and know, everything about the bayous, creeks, streams and wilderness of Arkansas County.

Monroe was a true outdoorsman. He trapped, hunted, fished, and farmed. He was a man who loved dogs and all animals. Monroe grew vegetables and berries in his garden. He was a man of many talents. After moving from Duck Lane and settling on Bayless Lane, he founded the Black Duck Hunting Lodge in October 1998, which has been host to hundreds of hunters over these last 26 years. Monroe guided countless duck and deer hunts in the years before operating Black Duck. It was a true pleasure to hunt or fish with Monroe. He was also a builder of many things. Monroe raised chickens, quail, and guineas. He helped many friends and neighbors build and repair homes, buildings, barns, decks and other structures. He could work on a tractor and farm equipment. His knowledge and many skills were amazing.

Monroe never met a stranger and to know him was to love him. He was well-loved, well-respected and well-known by people from all walks of life. Monroe was an encyclopedia when it came to people, places and events, especially events or things that concerned Arkansas County, Bayou Meto, hunting, fishing or trapping, to name just a few. It was always amazing how he could recount names, family relationships, events and things we all take for granted or had long forgotten. The stories he could tell were endless. Monroe could talk to anyone about anything, anywhere, anytime.

Murray Monroe Williams was a true friend. Bayless Lane and Bayou Meto will never be the same place without him. He will forever be missed by all who knew him and will never be forgotten.

Funeral services, officiated by the Rev. Mary Welch, are 1 p.m. Saturday, January 20, at Turpin Funeral Home. Burial will be in Bayless Cemetery.

Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Friday at Turpin Funeral Home.