Joseph “Joe” Morton Rayburn, 85, died August 19, 2024 in EagleCrest Nursing and Rehab Center at Ash Flat, Arkansas. He was born January 19, 1939 in rural Lena, Stephenson County, Illinois to Henry D. and Evelyn Batchelder Pearson Rayburn. Joe was stationed in Alaska while in the U.S. Air Force. He married Bonnye Watson on September 4, 1960 in the Apple River Methodist Church, and in 1995 they moved to Williford, Arkansas.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Jeffrey Rayburn of WooSung, Illinois; two daughters, Barbara Johnson of Williford and Beth (Wayne) Thompson of Sterling, Illinois; four grandchildren: Scott (Kendra) Lowe, Juston (Brittany O’Haver) Lowe, Lindsay (Matt) Junius, and Jessica Holm; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Rita Smith; a sister-in-law, Ruth Pearson Becker; two brothers-in-law, Dick Kiessling and Robert Watson; several nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Earl Pearson; sisters and brothers-in-law, Martha and Lawrence Randecker, Alene/Penny and Roger Caron; a sister, Annette Kiessling; a sister-in-law, Janet Watson.
There will be a private burial service. Memorials can be given to a local food pantry, a local animal shelter, or to Legacy Hospice, 111 North Main Street, Salem, AR 72576.
The family extends sincere thanks to everyone at EagleCrest Nursing and Rehab as well as Legacy Hospice for the care they gave to Joe.
Arrangements were entrusted to Tri-County Funeral Home, 1540 Hwy. 62/412, Highland, AR 72542.
