Private graveside services for William Ronald Girlinghouse will be officiated by Bro. Kevin Girlinghouse and held on Thursday, May 7, 2020, where he will be laid to rest next to many family members in Athens, LA. Services will be under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA. Visitation for friends and family will be held from 8:00 AM -3:00 PM on May 6, 2020 at Owens Memorial Chapel; 2300 West California Ave. Ruston, LA.

William Ronald (Ron) Girlinghouse, 63, left this earth peacefully at 1:44 pm on April 21, 2020.

Ron was a very strong willed yet stubborn man who, for many years, has laughed in the face of death and surpassed many medical issues.

Born September 10, 1956 in Minden, LA, Ron was the second child of Claude Girlinghouse and Beatrice. He spent his childhood and teen years growing up, making friends and memories, and raising hell in Webster Parish. Ron joined the Army in 1973 where he served and spent time in Germany. While on leave in 1975, his Army buddy, Vernon, introduced his sister Toni to Ron, where they fell in love and were married on March 13, 1976. For the next 45 years, they raised three children, traveled to many states chasing the oilfield, rode their Harleys across the country, were lifetime members of the Elk Lodge and had many great adventures together. As Ron's health became an issue, they made the decision to follow their dreams and settle down near the lake in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Over the next several years, his health gradually declined, but he stayed strong through it all so he could see his prized possessions, his grandbabies, grow up.

Ron was blessed with 7 grandchildren that he loved the whole world. In his eyes, those babies could do no wrong. A few special messages from his oldest three grandbabies are:

• (Jeff) Although I was too young to actually remember this, seeing the pictures and listening to my Papaw brag about the time he made my mom take an old pair of his chaps in order to make me a Harley vest when I was six months old, so he could take me to the motorcycle rally in Ignacio, CO and parade me around with a sign that read, "Got Milk?" just so he could see some boobies. I will love you always Papaw.
• (Jacob) I will always love you to the moon and back a million times.
• (Destiny) I will always be your # 1 granddaughter. I love you Papaw.

Ron is survived by his wife of 45 years, Toni Bennett Girlinghouse; his children, Angela (Ray) Sterling, Shane Girlinghouse, Amy Girlinghouse and honorary (acquired) daughter Tanisha Chapman; his grandchildren Jeffery (Neda), Jacob, Destiny (Wyatt), Grace, Thomas, Nevaeh and Trinity; his siblings Claudette (David) Christian and Aaron Girlinghouse, as well as his best friend and cousin Brenda Swearingen and many more beloved family members and let us not forget to include his rotten, four legged babies Lady and Lizzy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Girlinghouse and wife Beatrice, Uncle Red Volentine and Aunt Dimple, Uncle JD Girlinghouse and brother-in-law, Billy Brewer.

Pallbearers will be Shane Girlinghouse, Ray Sterling, Jeff Sterling, Jacob Girlinghouse, Patrick Bennett, and Rick Adams. Honorary pallbearers will be Jason Brewer and Wyatt Homan.

• People think of death as the end of life. But death is a time to think of the accomplishments, services and the lives that they touched. This is not the end of their life, but the beginning of a better life. – Shane Girlinghouse

In lieu of flowers, donations to assist with the offset of costs associated with the final medical bills, the funeral and travel can be made to:

Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union

Routing # 314089681

Account # 210905007