Willis Ivory Floyd was born in Okolona, Arkansas, to the parents of Willis and Estella Floyd. He was the seventh-born child of eight siblings. He was raised in a healthy and Christian home. Ivory joined Piney Ridge Methodist Church when he was 16 years old.

He is a 1963 graduate of Simmons High School in Okolona. Ivory moved to Seattle, Washington, where he was employed at Boeing Aircraft for several years. He then moved to California and worked at General Motors. He later transferred and retired from the plant in Wentzville, Missouri. Ivory returned home to Arkansas in 2020.

Ivory enjoyed listening to the blues and was family home. He was a sharp and flashy dresser. He passed from this life on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at Hillcrest Manor in Prescott.

Ivory was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Kathryn Stovall, Carl, Cody, and James.

He leaves to mourn his loss three sons and a daughter of previous marriages. His first son, Eugene Ivory (Denise) Floyd of Arkadelphia; daughter, Zanetta Floyd of Dallas, Texas, who were born from his marriage to Lillie (May 25, 1967). His second son, Jonathan Floyd of Stockton, Calif., who was born from his marriage to Joann. His third son, Timothy Floyd of Los Banas, Calif., who was born from his marriage to Victoria; eight grandchildren, Nikima Greer, Crystal Mitchell, Patrick Tinch, Precious Tinch-Floyd, Joshua Tinch-Floyd, and Faith Tinch-Floyd; 10 great-grandchildren; three siblings, Jessie Spivey of Little Rock, Charlene (Don) Scott of Mt. View, Calif., and Benny (Gwendolyn) Floyd of Okolona. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 6, from noon until 5 p.m. and the family will receive friends from noon until 1 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Arkadelphia. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at the funeral home with Rev. Johnny C. Harris, officiating. Interment will be at Helms Cemetery.  

Active pallbearers will be Wayne Floyd, Fletcher Tinch, Joshua Tinch-Floyd, Joseph Young and Brian Floyd. Honorary pallbearers will be Leon Stitt, Hura Grisby, Lloyd Gentry, Otis C. Bailey, James Wingfield and Charlie Thomas.