WILLIAM AVANT

William "Willie" Ray Avant, 85, of Texarkana, Texas died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018. Mr. Avant was born Sept. 22, 1932, in Hampton, Ark. He was a retired payroll supervisor at Day and Zimmerman and a former minor league pitcher at the Saint Louis Cardinals organization. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Avant of Texarkana; one son and daughter-in-law, Ray and Lisa Avant of Center Point, Texas; one daughter and son-in-law, Renea and Don McMillon of Texarkana; one brother, Jack Avant of Camden, Ark.; and two grandchildren, Michael and Cheyenne Avant of Center Point, Texas. Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at East Funeral Home, Moores Lane. Burial will be private. Visitation will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Online registration is at eastfuneralhomes.com.