MEET THE PRESIDENT

Billy Curl

2020 Chamber President

    A prominent businessman in the midsouth region, Billy Curl is owner of Cobb Funeral Home and Westwood Funeral Services in Blytheville. Cobb, a historic business founded in 1895 remains the premier funeral service in the area, conducting over 180 services per year.   Billy was founder and previously owned one of the largest mortuary services in the midsouth, Midsouth Mortuary Service, Memphis, Tennessee, until 1998, when he accepted a full-time position as an Apache/Kiowa Warrior helicopter Instructor for the U.S. Army Aviation Support Facility in Tupelo, Mississippi.

    Billy is a retired U.S. Army helicopter pilot, having served 24 years in the military, including ten years of active duty and fourteen years in the National Guard.  In 2004, he was awarded the Army Air Medal and two commendation medals for his combat service in Iraq.  He also received the Mississippi Magnolia Cross, the highest award available from the state of Mississippi, for his service “with valor” in Iraq. Billy now serves on several notable veteran service committees throughout the area, in support of veterans.

    Born in Michigan, Billy moved to Newport, Arkansas at the age of ten. He graduated from Newport High School and holds an associate’s degree in mortuary Science from Northwest Community College. A licensed funeral director, he continues his education with in-service and certification courses in business-related fields.

   In 2018, Billy was appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson to the Arkansas Funeral Directors & Embalmers Board and is a member of the MS-Mort team. In addition to the state position, he is an active community member. He is a member of the Blytheville Rotary Club, Blytheville Unlimited; president-elect of the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce and an active member of the First United Methodist Church.

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Award Nominees

 CHAMBER AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

2020 Annual Award Winners

PRIDE IN PROPERTY

Awarded to businesses dedicated to excellence in appearance, either through ongoing maintenance or through renovations and remodels.

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• BLYTHEVILLE BOOK COMPANY

Brand new in historic downtown, this beautiful bookstore brings to life a once forgotten corner, offering not just books, but coffee, wine and unique items. Part of a longer-term revamp project on Main Street, the bookstore is the harbinger for things to come in Blytheville.

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SMALL BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

Awarded to outstanding businesses and industries in Blytheville with 30 or less employees.

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• BURGE'S SHOES

Another downtown staple, Burge's can be counted on for the newest in shoe styles, superb customer service and that great hometown hospitality. In a unique turn, Burge's also serves our industry need for work boots.

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LARGE BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

Awarded to outstanding businesses and industries in Blytheville with over 30 employees.

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• MISSISSIPPI COUNTY ELECTRIC COOP

A Touchstone Energy coop, Mississippi County Electric is member-owned rather than shareholder-owned. Translation: Good service, complete information and quick responsiveness. The "coop" serves a wide range in the Blytheville area, including many industries, and it is noted a community-minded organization supporting many community development projects throughout the area.​

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Ashley Bowdler

Gosnell School District