This is an announcement made by the Arkansas Ambulance Association

This past Saturday, we learned of the sudden death of H. Stephen Williamson, an iconic EMS leader for more than 40 years. H. Stephen Williamson was the president and chief executive officer of Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) since the Authority began operations in 1978, and served for over 39 years. Under Williamson’s guidance, EMSA grew into Oklahoma’s largest EMS provider and one of the country’s most effective ambulance systems, achieving the standing of top 1% of ambulance services nationwide with accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services. Due to his visionary leadership and passion for service, EMSA provided outstanding patient care, saving countless lives throughout Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and the surrounding counties. Prior to his tenure at EMSA, he served as administrator of Enid Memorial Hospital. He was a graduate of the University of Tulsa, earning a B.S. in Finance, as well as a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Oklahoma. Prior to his death, Steve was the Chief Financial Officer at Pafford EMS, the largest ambulance service provider in Arkansas.

FEBRUARY 5, 1988 – SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

Justin J. Lambert, 30, of Beebe, died September 18, 2018, as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.

He was born February 5, 1988, in Fort Walton Beach, FL, the son of Jennifer (Day) and Jeffrey J. Lambert. He married the woman to whom he often referred to as the “love of his life,” Taylor, on May 21, 2016.

From a young age, Justin felt the call to serve. His great love of people, the pride in his country, and his need for adrenaline helped to set the course of his life. After graduating high school from Academics Plus Charter School in Maumelle, Justin served in the US Air Force as a Logistics Manager, having been recognized many times for his dedicated efforts. It was a career he would continue after his years of service, working for Staley Technologies. Most recently, he was a personal trainer at 10 Fitness in Little Rock and Bryant, and an EMT at MEMS in Little Rock and LifeNet in Hot Springs. He also served as a volunteer firefighter in Bryant.

Justin loved life and was the greatest cheerleader to his friends and family, and was always quick to offer encouragement, advice or assistance. His tireless work ethic, infectious smile, generous spirit, and genuine concern for humankind has been witnessed by everyone who met him. He loved cars, bar-b-que, and his friends. Above all, he was a wonderful family man who loved being a husband and a father.

He is survived by his wife, Taylor; daughter, Charlotte; mother, Jennifer (Chris) Johnson; father, Jeff (Wrenetta) Lambert; sister, Nina (Andrew) Holub; brother, Dalton (Brooke) Lambert; sisters, Elayna Lambert and Stacey Johnson; his mother-in-law, Naomi (Jamie) Cantrell; his father in law, Sam Spikes; a family of four nieces and one nephew, several aunts, uncles and cousins, and many wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Gerald Lambert; and maternal grandparents, Elmer and Geraldine Day. Visitation will be Friday, September 21, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock.

Funeral services will be Saturday, September 22, at 9:00 a.m. at First Assembly of God, 4501 Burrow Drive, North Little Rock. Interment will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park.

( October 29, 1955 – March 06, 2018 )

Rickey L. Elder, 62, of Brookland, passed from this life on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at NEA Baptist Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Rickey was born in Paragould and lived all of his life in the Brookland area. He was a 1973 graduate of Brookland High School and worked 19 years as a Routeman for Lewis Brothers Bread Company (Bunny Bread) before they ceased their Arkansas operations. Rickey then entered full time in the construction and home building business and worked full time as an EMT-A for Emerson Ambulance Service on nights and weekends.

In any spare time that he had, Rickey enjoyed hunting and fishing and serving as a Reserve Officer with the Craighead County Sheriffs Office. He was a member of Brookland Baptist Church and was preceded in death by his father, Dale Elder.

Survivors include his wife, Vicki Kidd Elder of the home;
His mother, Irene Elder of Brookland;
1 daughter and son-in-law, Nicole and John Jacobs of Arlington, Tennessee;
2 sons and daughters-in-law, Benjamin and Kelly Elder and Joshua and Ashton Carr, all of Brookland;
1 sister and brother-in-law, Dian and John Street of Jonesboro;
2 brothers and sister-in-law: Mickey and Paulette Elder of Brookland and Wyndol Elder of Paragould; and
7 grandchildren: Kyle Jacobs, Kaitlyn Hammett, Hayden Elder, Ryan Jacobs, Laken Carr, Sonnie Elder and Kinleigh Carr.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday in Emerson Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday in Emerson Memorial Chapel with David Head officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Log Cemetery.

Active pallbearers include Jacob Elder, Spencer Elder, Clinton Elder, John Street, Eric Knuckles and Scotty Kidd. Honorary pallbearers include members of the Emerson Ambulance Service Team and personnel of the Craighead County Sherriff’s Office.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Fowler Family Center for Cancer Care at NEA Baptist Health Care, 4802 E. Johnson Ave., Jonesboro, AR 72401.

July 15, 1991 – February 4, 2018

Denisa Alice Poole Shipley, 50, passed from this life and entered heaven on January 24, 2018, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Denisa was born May 19, 1967, in Piggott, Arkansas, to Max and Billie Sue Poole. She was cheerleader and a beauty queen in her high school years. She worked as a cosmetologist for many years before becoming a paramedic. Denisa loved working as a paramedic on the ambulance for over 20 years. She loved outdoors, animals, hunting, and the river and her personality was larger than life. Denisa adored her children and loved her family more than anything. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Denisa was saved and baptized at the St. Francis Baptist Church when she was a teenager.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Dr. Wylie E. Turner, Jr., Ralph and Dolly Poole, Gaye Smart, and Rocky and Alice Hefner; her uncle, Dean Poole; and her aunt, Alice Cole.

She is survived by her parents, Max and Billie Sue Poole; one son, Beau Alex Wicker and fiancé Tarryn Tracy; her daughter, Brooke Alice Shipley; sister, Candice Holcomb; two nieces: Hollie and Tessa Holcomb; one nephew: Colton Poole and wife Hannah; and special Grand Di, Diane Cluck.

Visitation will be held Saturday, January 27, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. in the Hoggard & Sons Chapel with service following at 12:00 p.m. with Kevin Murray officiating. Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home of Piggott, Arkansas, is in charge of the arrangements. Burial will be held at a later date at Gravel Hill Cemetery near St. Francis, Arkansas.

April 22, 1974 – December 10, 2017

Mark A. Johnson, 43, a lifelong resident of Cash, died Sunday, December 10, 2017 at NEA Baptist Medical Center.  He was a member of the Valley Ridge Baptist Church.  He loved to dive and enjoyed all water related activities.  His best friend and running buddy was King, his dog.  Mark was a Nationally Certified Paramedic #15933 and worked for many years at Emerson Ambulance Service.  He was an avid shooter and weapons handler.  He was preceded in death by his father, Tommy Johnson.

Survivors include his wife of 19 years, Heather Johnson; son, Lucas Johnson both of the home; mother, Jackie Johnson of Cash; brothers, Bobby Johnson (Misty); Shawn Johnson (Danna) all of Jonesboro; nephews, Hunter Johnson (McKayle) and Houston Johnson.

Services will be 1:00 PM, Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Bobby Floyd and Jamie Carter officiating.  Burial will follow at Johnson Cemetery with Eric Johnson, Erin Johnson, Michael Johnson, Jason Johnson, Keith Baggett and Milton Wayne Harbison serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are EMT’s, Paramedics and Staff at Emerson Ambulance Service.  Visitation will be from noon until service time on Wednesday.

For lasting memorials, please consider the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, National Processing Center, Attn: Honor & Memorial Gifts, PO Box 1245, Albert Lea, Minnesota, 56007-9976 or

The American Kennel Club Government Relations Department, 8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 100  Raleigh, North Carolina 27617-3390.  To sign an online registry, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.

March 8, 1949 – December 2, 2017

David Michael Covey, 68, of Sherwood, passed away December 2, 2017. He was born March 8, 1949 in Newport, Arkansas to the late Lloyd and Francis Buford Covey. David served his country in the US Army as an Ammo Storage Specialist and worked at the US Postal Service and later retired as a Paramedic. He was a motorcycle enthusiast who loved drag racing with his family. He was also dedicated to his children and grandchildren, and loved them dearly. David was an avid scuba diver, and was a 32nd degree Mason.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Jacqui Covey; two sons, Shawn (Cindy) Covey and Eric Sturba; two daughters, Tanya (Steve) Boyles and Shannon (Jessie) Bradford; six grandchildren, Justin Covey, Chase Boyles, Caitlyn Boyles, Lauren (Zach) Fendley, Audrey Bradford, and Kaleb Bradford.

Memorial Service will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 12th at First Christian Church, 2803 E. Kiel Avenue, Sherwood, Ark. 72120. A reception will follow at Dave and Jacqui’s home. To sign the online guestbook go to www.griffinleggettresthills.com

Patrick F. Moore, 68, of Conway went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday September 4, 2017. He was born on Thursday January 27, 1949 to the late Ralph and Eva (Calhoun) Moore in Dumas, AR. He graduated from Conway High School in 1967. Pat served as the Faulkner County Coroner for 28 1/2 years. He was the first accredited Medicolegal Death Investigator in the state. He was a licensed EMT for 40 years and was recognized in 2006 by the Arkansas EMT Association as the longest tenured EMT-I in the state. He was Faulkner County EMT of the year in 1984 and in addition served as the President of both the Arkansas EMT Instructor Association as well as the National Association of EMT’s. He was the Instructor/Coordinator of the year of both the Arkansas EMT Association and the National Association of EMT’s. Pat was President of the Arkansas Coroner’s Association from 2013-2017. He was a Nationally Registered Diplomate of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators and a Board Certified Fellow of the American College of Forensic Examiners. Pat was a Recognized Expert in Death Scene Investigation Issues. He served as a member, and officer of multiple boards and committees and over the last 10 years helped develop the Arkansas Medicolegal Death Investigation course in conjunction with the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy, and the Arkansas Coroner’s Association. This course was very important to Pat because he wanted every Coroner and Deputy Coroner in the State of Arkansas to have access to quality training that would allow every County to have the same knowledge and experience to aid in their investigations.

Pat is preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Eva Moore and Sister Corynn French. Pat is survived by his loving wife of thirty-two years Leslie Moore; his sister Norma Fletcher; three children Tate (Amy) Moore and their two children Kaylin (Skyler) Reynolds, and Talon Moore, Marti (Danny) Fife and their two children Shelby and Anna Kay Fife, and Shayla (Charlie) Cockrum and their two children Bryce Burkheart, and Braden Cockrum; dearest friend Jessica Thorn, and many nieces, nephews, family members and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday September 7, 2017 at Woodland Heights Baptist Church in Conway from 4:00PM – 8:00PM. Services will be on Friday September 8, 2017 at 10:00AM at Woodland Heights Baptist Church in Conway with burial following at Oak Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jim Slattery, Bubba Bell, Dennis Willheim, Mark Mahan, Bob Edwards, John Mattox, Talon Moore, and Mark Reeves; honorary pallbearer Braden Cockrum. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Faulkner County SPCA 4 Gail Lane, Conway AR 72034.

Brittany Lauren Wildhaber, 28, of Bryant, Arkansas passed away September 1, 2017 in Alexander, Arkansas. She was born July 11, 1988 in Sherwood, Arkansas to Michelle (Bacon) Wildhaber and raised in Saline County.

Brittany graduated from Bryant High School and earned her Bachelor degree from University of West Florida. She worked as an EMT since 2012 with Medtran and most recently, at MEMS. Her passion for serving people carried her into her role as a fire fighter with Northeast Fire Department of Saline County.

Brittany was smart, funny, and loving. She was a loyal friend-once you were friends, you were friends for life. She loved the Lord, and showed the love of Christ with every life she touched. Heaven gained a unique, endearing, sweetheart of an angel.

Brittany leaves to cherish her memory her partner, Robert “Bobby” Hawkins; mother, Michelle Wildhaber-Tackett; step-father, Rick Tackett; sister, Serena Wildhaber; step-brothers, Lynn and Ray Tackett; dearly beloved nephew, Gaige Alan Figueroa; and a host of cherished family, friends, and colleagues including her “Aunt” Shirley Yount who love Brittany and will miss her always.

A memorial service in her honor will be held at 5:00 PM, Saturday, September 9, 2017 at First Assembly of God Church, 1801 Hot Springs Highway, Benton, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northeast Fire Department for the EMT Scholarship in her memory.

Wayn Ledbetter, 48, died in Hot Springs, AR on August 28, 2017.

He was born on August 20, 1969 in Dunoon, Scotland and grew up in Hot Springs. He was a graduate of Fountain Lake High School. He served in the United States Air Force and was a graduate of the Emergency Medical Science program at UAMS.

Wayn was a first responder who worked as a paramedic for over 20 years in Texas, Georgia, Colorado, and Arkansas. He touched the hearts of many and saved numerous lives doing the work he loved. He was a gifted vocalist and drummer with a great love for music. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle, co-worker, and friend who will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his father and mother, Clifford and Margaret Ledbetter; his brother, Garry Ledbetter, his sister and brother-in-law, Angela and Aaron Boyette; his nephew, Zeke Ledbetter; his nieces Riley and Linsey Ledbetter and Eden and Daphne Boyette; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.