Bruce Julius “BJ” Ashley Jr. was born on December 25, 1982, to the union of Bruce Julius Ashley Sr. and Barbara Jean Martin in Michigan City, Indiana. From this union, he was the 2nd born child of three. He was raised in Blytheville, Arkansas where he graduated with the Blytheville High School Class of 2001, and gained a love for the working field by working at The Dixie Pig BBQ restaurant.

Following graduation, Bruce took an interest in Computer Technology, and he started his college educational journey at ITT Technical Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. From there, Bruce took on a management position at Laser Cycle Inc in Lenexa, KS where he met his wife.

He was preceded in death by his maternal great grandmother Ella Louise Real, his maternal grandfather Willie Lee Martin, his paternal grandfather William Julius Ashley, his paternal grandmother Cora Bell Ashley and his Uncle Roosevelt (June Bug) Hatch Jr.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Darice Ashley, son Bruce Ashley III, daughter Barbie Ashley, son Brice Ashley, his grandmother Juanita Real, his father Bruce Ashley Sr., his mother Barbara Martin, his sisters Dr. Chimere Ashley-Hammett (Desmond) and Chinelia Ashley(Antonio) of Blytheville, AR; Destiny Ashley and Coreena Ashley of Michigan City, IN, his brother Ishmael Ashley of Michigan City, IN, his cousin/brother Allen Hatch of Osceola, AR, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and many friends. We would like to give special thanks to his friends William Allen and Sheena Williams.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 12:45 p.m. at First Missionary Baptist Church, 600 East McHaney Drive, Blytheville, AR, where Reverend Odale Jones is the pastor. Reverend Jones will deliver the eulogy with interment to follow in Gethsemane Gardens Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mhfuneralhomeinc. or visit us on Facebook at McDonald-Horne Funeral Home.

McDonald-Horne Funeral Home is in charge of services and arrangements.