Ira Wayne (Sonny) Bethea age 84, of Hermitage, AR died Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 at the St Vincent’s Infirmary in Little Rock, AR.
He was born March 1st, 1941 in Hilo, AR a son of the late Ras Bethea and Mable Hoyle Bethea. Sonny graduated from Hermitage High School in 1958. After high school, he started work as a log loader. In 1963, he joined the army and served as a Crane Operator at Fort Bragg, NC. He was honorably discharged in 1969.
After he served in the Army, he started career as a Cross Country truck driver hauling produce from California to Maine and all points in between. Next, he drove for Potlatch then started Bethea Logging in 1981. Sonny and his wife Diann operated Bethea Logging until the late 2000’s. Sonny served as Justice of the Peace in the 1990’s and was on the Bradley County Quorum Court.
Sonny had a love for music. He sang and played guitar, bass fiddle, banjo, and mandolin. He was self-taught. Sonny became saved in 1995 and from that time on, he served the lord with his talent for music. He was in the gospel group Joint Heirs of Grace. They performed at churches throughout South AR. Sonny played music up until his death.
In addition to music, Sonny had a passion for horses and mules and owned many throughout his life. He participated in trail rides and Team Penning. He was the president of the Bradley County Riding Club in the late 80’s.
Sonny’s last mule was a rescue named Fred that he nursed back to health. Sonny and Fred enjoyed many trail rides until Sonny could no longer ride. Also preceding him in death is his sister Patsy Johnson.
Surviving is his wife whom he married October 1st, 1976, Diann Lowry Bethea, Hermitage, AR. A son, Pete Williams, Hermitage, AR. Daughters Tara Oldham, El Dorado, AR and Lori Barker and spouse Joe, Newport, AR. A brother Ronnie Bethea and spouse Sandra, Moro Bay, AR. Grandchildren Hunter Oldham, Buck Oldham, Leah Cicirello, Jeffery Parker and spouse Leann, Travis Williams and spouse Kendal, Logan Williams, Kayla Ratterree and spouse Jason and Tyler Barker. 9 great-grandchildren.
