James William Lewis

James William (Sonny) Lewis, age 76, went to be with Jesus on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 6:00pm, after a long battle with cancer.  He passed away peacefully with family at his side, at the Williard Walker Hospice Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

James enjoyed life, going to school, hunting, fishing, and participating in school activities.  He was a family man and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and he enjoyed holiday gatherings, cookouts with his family.  James done farming, until he moved to Memphis, after he got out of the military.  He went to work for a moving company that moved office furniture throughout Mississippi and Tennessee.

James served in the military. He got to go to college and various schoolings.  He was sent to St. Louis, Missouri where he was stationed.  He went to flying school for the military where after 45 flights, he got his chopper license to fly.  He got his Engineer degree in Belvoir, Virginia where he was stationed.  He also studied Criminal Justice and Psychiatry  and received his degree as a Military Psychiatry where he worked 2 ½ years. 

James Lewis was sent to Ft. Huachuca, Arizona where he studied to be a Diesel Mechanic and a Wheels Vehicle Mechanic.  He served 3 years in Germany.  After Germany, he came home for a leave and was sent to Fort Bliss, Texas.  He spent several years there and time at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  He left the military after 12 years. 

He loved his country and was a member of The Amos Bayou Church in Kelso, Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ranetta Lewis who passed away in 2012, his parents, Ruth and Everett Lewis, his grandparents, Steve and Martha Lewis, Etta and James White, one sister, Phyllis Winchester and one brother, Mark Lewis

He is survived by two sons, Steve (Jesselle) Lewis of Peterborough, NH, Joey Lewis of Winchester, NH, one daughter, Lisa (Bill) Jones of Crossett, AR. two sisters, Donna (Fred) Vaughn of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Marsha Henley of Fayetteville, Arkansas, one brother, Everette Lewis Jr. (Frances) of Vilonia, Arkansas and nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00PM on Saturday, November 22, 2025 in the Madison County Funeral Service Chapel with Pastor Lovena Tyson officiating.  Inturnment will be at Sparks Cemetery in Huntsville with Military Honors.

Arrangements are under the direction of Madison County Funeral Service, Hindsville, Arkansas.

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