James B. Ryals Jr.

James B. Ryals Jr., age 72, of Elkins, died Dec. 19, 2013, at Westwood Health and Rehabilitation Center in Springdale, Ark. He was born Dec. 1, 1941, in Glennville, Ga., the son of James B. Ryals Sr. and Nadine Groover Ryals. He was a retired technician for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and had served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era. He attended First Baptist Church in Elkins and enjoyed playing and coaching all sports and especially enjoyed the local dirt-track racing. He was preceded by his parents; one sister, Jeanette Ryals Pope; and one grandchild, Justice Adam Ryals. Mr. Ryals is survived by his wife, Faye Holladay Ryals, of the home; two sons, Jay Ryals and his wife, Diana, of Elkins, and Joseph Ryals and his wife, Sherry, of Springdale; one sister, JoAnn Sills-Smith of Orange City, Fla.; and five grandchildren, Brittany Hebner, James B. Ryals III, Jordan Ryals, Daniel Rivas-Ryals and Brooke-lin Ryals. Funeral services will be Monday, Dec. 23, 2013, at 12 noon at First Baptist Church in Elkins, with Pastor Rex Griffin officiating, under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will follow in McCord Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 10 a.m. until service time at the church. Pallbearers will be: Tad Hebner, Jordan Ryals, Daniel Rivas-Ryals, Tony Benson, Jack Shields and Shane Shields. Honorary pallbearers will be Spc. James B. Ryals III, U.S. Army, and Mark Sills. Online condolences may be sent to www.memfuneral.com.