Earnest Lee Young

Earnest Lee Young aka “Biddy”

On January 13, 1953, in Whelen Springs, AR, a bouncing baby boy named Earnest Lee Young was born to proud parents, Marvel and Mary Trammell Young.  He was their only child.  He graduated from Gurdon High School in 1971 and soon after enlisted into the United States Army.  He was stationed in El Paso at Fort Bliss as a 92G Culinary Specialist.  After serving his country, he went on to work for several companies including Siplast, International Paper Company, Anthony Timberlands, Pactiv, Husqvarna, and Central Arkansas Development Center (CADC) where he was a janitorial specialist.

When he was a kid, he received a toy guitar as a gift, fell in love with it and has been playing ever since.  He taught himself to play by ear.  His grandmother, Maurine, owned and ran one of the most popular “night spots” in Clark County.  This is where he developed his love for music.  He started out playing with a couple of childhood friends and would later join the Community Soul Band and Soul Unlimited Band with Ellis Blake.  He played with them for over 30 years and developed many longtime friendships.  He touched many lives through his music.  Earnest was fun loving and often the life of the party!  He had a very personable spirit that often drew people to him and let’s not mention his good looks! He loved fast cars, especially Ford Mustangs and motorcycles.  He was a proud member of the Soul Stars Motorcycle Club in Hot Springs, AR. 

He trusted and believed in God and was affiliated with Mt. Canaan Baptist Church in Gurdon, AR where the Reverend Johnny Harris is the Pastor. On September 14, 2021, Earnest Lee Young, 68, slipped into eternal peace at his home in Gurdon, Arkansas.  He was preceded in death by his father, Marvel Young and his mother, Mary Young. 

His presence will truly be missed.  Many will miss those phones calls where he would affectionately greet you by saying, “Talk to me.”  To carry on his legacy is his five children, Lavinia Nelson of Little Rock, AR, Cecilia Young of Hutto, TX, Udreinna McFadden (Ezra) of Jacksonville, Florida, Earnest Lee Young, Jr and Autumn Rae Young of Arkadelphia; six grandchildren, Montinique Shelby, Dominique Young, Justin Nelson, Jadyn Nelson, Ezra McFadden III and Ayden McFadden, and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, and numerous friends.  

Submitted by the Young Family

Public visitation will be Wednesday, September 22, 2021 from noon until 6:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home. Family and friends are asked to join the family from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. for an evening of music, memories and milestones.

Those who plan to attend are required to wear their mask.