Onward Booth Bullard

Onward Booth Bullard of Blytheville, age 95, passed peacefully from this life and entered fully into the presence of the Lord, Aug. 5, 2023. Born Aug. 26, 1927, in Dardanelle, he was the second son of the late Dolar Patrick and Bennie Mae Bullard.

O.B. moved with his parents to Louisiana as a young child, and his dad was a sharecropper, of whom he was very proud. The early years of his life were during the Great Depression, and though they had very little, they were blessed beyond riches. He grew up working a small farm using mules with his dad and older brother Bobby (Duck) Bullard and his siblings, Ola Jane, Audrey Lee, Pat, Henry Sam and Virginia, who all preceded him in death.

In his early teenage years, he and his brother Bobby (Duck) were given an acre each by their dad, and the cotton they picked and sold that year helped them each buy a horse. His dad matched the $50 he earned, and he bought his beloved horse Tony, that was undefeated and never lost a race. His love for that horse must be included in his life story.

He served in the U.S. Army in World War ll and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, for his overseas service. During his time there, he was faithful in his attendance at the military chapel and had a close relationship with the chaplain, who he remembered fondly.

After returning home from the Army, he started his career as a parts man at the local Ford dealership in 1947 in Talullah, La. It was there in 1950 that he married the love of his life Geneva Aaron. He continued on in the auto parts business working at a local parts house called Parts Service for 15 years. In 1965, he took over as manager of Brooks Noble, who owned a chain of Napa Auto Parts stores in Louisiana and Mississippi. Then, in 1976, he and Geneva became the owners of Bullard’s Motor Supply and moved to Blytheville, Ark.

His education went only through the 8th grade, as he had to quit school to work the farm with his dad, when his older brother was drafted during World War ll. But he lacked knowledge in nothing, being extremely gifted in math and common sense. He was known for hard work and kindness to customers and his employees. He did many good deeds for other people that no one ever knew, not to be admired or praised by anyone, but to honor his Father in Heaven.

O.B. and Geneva operated their business in Blytheville until 1998, when they retired and handed it over to their family. Their last 20 years together were spent mostly in Winterhaven, Fla., where they enjoyed fishing, baseball spring training, church, friends and each other’s company.

He lived the last years of his life back in Arkansas, first in Mountain Home, and then Blytheville, after Geneva went before him.

O.B. loved to fish, and he loved sports.  He was masterful in statistics from every era, stats of both the teams and the athletes. He loved baseball and boxing more than any other sport. He was also excellent at splitting wood, something he was very proud of.

He was a youth baseball coach for many years and influenced many young men not only in the fundamentals of baseball, but on how to be a better person. Whether a teammate or on the opposing team, he always encouraged everyone and cared for them personally.

O.B. was a devout believer in his Savior, Jesus Christ. He made his profession of faith as a teenager, along with his brother Bobby, at a country church revival, and was baptized in a bayou near that church. He was a deacon and a Sunday school teacher at both, First Baptist Church of Talullah, La., and First Baptist Church of Blytheville. Of the many good things, he was known for, his greatest aspiration was to be known as a Man of God.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Geneva, his son Alan Ray, his grandson Blake Alan, and was the last surviving member of all his siblings.

He leaves to honor his memory his son Ted Bullard and wife Kelly; daughter Susan Sullivan and husband Mike; and son Jay Bullard and wife Missy; grandsons, Brad Bullard, Justin Elliott, Ryan Bullard, Jarred Elliott, Brock Bullard, Jay Bullard, Jr., Jacob Elliott, Dylan Bullard; and his only granddaughter, Julia Bullard. He also leaves 14 great-grandchildren to cherish his memory. And a most treasured friend, mentor and pastor, Crawford Williams.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 12, at noon at First Baptist Church with his grandson, Rev. Jarred Elliott, officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until service time at First Baptist Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.