Biography: Billy D. Peebles, was born March 31, 1952, on his mother’s birthday, in Augusta, Arkansas. His father was M.B. Peebles, but Frankie Rankin, his step-dad, was the man who raised him and helped mold him into the wonderful person he became. His dad, stepdad, mom Wannetta Scott Rankin, sister Gail Posey, brother-in-law Sam Posey, stepsister Tina Rankin, and poodle “Conway” all preceded him in death. He is survived by Charlotte Peebles, Robert & Penny Rankin, Randy & Sherry Rankin, Bobby Rankin (Jonathan & Madelyn), Nathan Rankin (Drake), Stephanie & Marcus Mealler (Eli), Billy D. Rankin, Charles Peebles, Amber Francis, Chuck Peebles, Agnes, Tom & Catherine Bennewise, Tina Posey & Damien Kissinger. His extended family includes co-workers of twenty-seven years at Snap On Equipment (FMC Corp.) in Conway, students and faculty of the Arkansas Arts Center Museum School, where he taught jewelry making for fifteen years; Bainbridge gang of neighbors, Stuttgart Class of 1970 (Go Ricebirds!) and sailing pals at Lakes Ouachita and Maumelle. Billy worked in research and development as a draftsman, first at BEI Electronics, Inc, then at Snap On Corporation in Conway as a graphic artist. He loved to participate in the Halloween costume contest at work, and was an awesome pirate. He was always willing to help a neighbor or a stranger in need. When a friend was worried about turning 40, he offered to help him through it, and we ended up in Europe for three weeks. He loved his nieces and nephews, but not until they were out of diapers. He had a sense of fun that was contagious and could be devilish at times. Whatever the theme of a party was - he was at the outer limits. His hobbies included scuba diving and painting, and he always took his watercolors on vacation to capture moments on the beach. His passions included jewelry making, writing & playing music, and feeling a gentle breeze on his face at the lake. He shot a recurve bow, and at a company archery tournament his 1st arrow went across a pond and into the center of the target, earning him the nickname of “Longshot”. He played music in the garage on Wednesday nights, which turned into a band called DOM (dirty old men) consisting of Billy, Donley, David, Gary, Ted “Catfish” & Ray. As lead singer of the band, Billy’s guitar playing shined. They had more gray hair & bald spots than most garage bands, but none had more fun than those guys. Billy’s attitude was always laid back, and liked to tell us to not sweat the small stuff. Billy was a bone cancer survivor from his childhood, but he met his match with the liver cancer that took him away from those who love him. After he was diagnosed this spring, he bought a recliner that was big enough for him & dogs Cleo and Ludwig. He died at home, in his chair, and was at peace. He did not want us to mourn him, and said “if you cry for me, you better smile through your tears.” He also did not want a funeral; he wanted a grand party to celebrate his life. So please mark your calendars: join us November 29, 2008, from 1:00 to 4:00p.m., at the Arkansas Arts Center. We are going to give Billy a party that will make him proud, and us a little less sad. Casual attire is definitely in order (it is Billy, after all), and fun will be had by all. Memorials may be made to the Museum School of the Arkansas Arts Center, 9th & Ferry, Little Rock, AR, or a charity of your choice. Cremation arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.