Billy Ray Anderson

Billy Ray "Bill" Anderson, 80, also affectionately known as "Cousin Carl," passed away Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, following a visit with his children. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Ann Crowell Anderson.

Bill was born Dec. 14, 1940, near Forman, Arkansas, to Eloise "Snow" and John D. Anderson. He grew up loving radio and country music and began to work as a DJ while still in high school at DeQueen, Arkansas, and later at KBEL in Idabel, Oklahoma. His talent earned him the Country Music DJ of the Year Award in 1961 in Nashville, TN.

Bill's long career as "Cousin Carl" started in the mid-60s when he created the hillbilly character for a radio station in Holdenville, Oklahoma. He briefly stepped away from radio to work in television news in Dodge City, Kansas, but was soon called back to Holdenville for another decade as Cousin Carl. He also learned to fly and started a side business flying pipeline patrol for Kerr McGee Oil and later moved to Texas where he owned and operated an agriculture spray business.

However, his love of radio never waned, and he went back into the business in 1977 at KDXE in Little Rock, Arkansas, before moving to Southeast Missouri in 1979. There he spent the rest of his career, first at KSIM, then KMIS, and finally fulfilled a life-long dream by starting his own station, KWKZ 106.1 in Cape Girardeau.

Over the next three decades, Cousin Carl became the most recognized and best loved radio show in the Heartland, and in 2010, Bill received a coveted Addy Award for his talent. Bill worked for years with his daughter, Susan (aka "the Girl"), on and off the air and retired in 2019 due to health concerns.

Survivors include his children, Dianne (Mark) Mathis, Susan (Arnold) Bell, John (Mindy) Anderson; grandchildren, Sydney and Chase Eubank, Kirsten (Jonathan) Holley, Cody and Taylor Anderson, Weston and Waverly Mathis; great-grandchildren, Kami Eubank and Teagan Anderson; sister, Judith Davis; brother-in-law, Ray (Shelly) Crowell; nephew, Michael Anderson, who lived with him in recent years; niece and nephew, Lisa and John; great-niece and nephews, Natalie (Tony), John Louis and Joseph; extended family and many other friends whom he regarded as family members.

A small private family service is planned at Ford and Sons Funeral Home, with the Rev. Eric McGruder officiating and music conducted by Mindy Anderson. The family invites everyone who knew him, whether as Bill or Cuz, to join a celebration of his life being planned on Pure Country C106.1.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Safe House for Women Inc., Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri or Humane Society of Southeast Missouri.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements

Online condolences may be shared at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.