Billy "Gene" Drennan

Billy Gene Drennan was born September 1, 1939, in Benton, Arkansas, to Hollis and Ina Marie Drennan and went to meet his Lord and Savior on Friday, April 3, 2016, at the age of 86.

Gene graduated from Benton High School in 1957. During his senior year of high school, he drove a school bus and met the love of his life, one of the bus riders, Hazel Kathryn Watts. He saved the front seat by the heater for her. They married on October 21, 1958. Gene and Hazel became avid fishermen and spent vacations camping, traveling, and cruising the ocean blue.

In addition to being a devoted husband and father, Gene held an unwavering faith in God and served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Mountain View Missionary Baptist Church. He shared his faith and testimony with family, friends, and co-workers.

Gene served in the Air Force branch of the military. Once out of the military, he worked at C.W. Lewis Lumber and then went to work at Alcoa, where he retired after 36 years.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, and his three children, Kathy (Dennis) Eason, Debbie (Mark) Gibson, and Kevin (Bridget) Drennan.

He also leaves behind four sisters, Shirley Goodwin, Ginger (Thanh) Nguyen, Carolyn Dacus, and Marilyn Byrd; Three brother-in-laws, Marvin Keesee, Ambrose Watts, and Larry Watts; Ten grandkids, Aaron (Sandra) Goff, Erica (Nick) Carter, Micah (Jason) Ribbing, Rachel Minner, Chris (Sarah) Wooten, Kristen (Samson) Gottshall, Conley (Spencer) Jones, Hannah Eason, Gabriella Eason, and Jake (Natalie) Drennan; Sixteen great-grands, Skylar, Prestyn, Avery, Kherington, Aimslee, Cameron, Jacee, Olivia, Levi, Hudson, Hazel, Nora, Hadley, Scarlett, Banks, and Baby Garrett coming soon. As well as several nephews, nieces, friends, and his beloved church family.

Visitation will be held at Smith Benton Funeral Home on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 10:00 am, with services to honor our very loved husband, brother, dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather following at 11:00 am, with Maxie Haynes and Wade Overturf officiating. Interment will follow at New Rosemont Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Ambrose Watts, Larry Watts, Randy Keesee, Jeff Baldwin, Jason Ribbing, Chris Wooten, Nick Carter, Derek Watts.

Honorary Pallbearers: Albert Houpt, Marvin Keesee, Aaron Goff and Jake Drennan.

A special Thank You, from the family, to Mindy Shelby, Misti Wilson and Taylor Tomlinson for taking such excellent loving care him.