Former Arkansas House Speaker Benny Petrus has died

An illustration of the Flag of Arkansas.Photo byClker-Free-Vector-Images/Pixabay

Benny Petrus had been a powerful member of the Arkansas House of Representatives. A Democrat, he was elected from the 14th District. Petrus passed away on May 17, 2024.

A cause of death was not immediately released to the public. But he was at a Little Rock hospital at the time of his passing.

Among those to pay tribute to him shortly afterward was former Republican State Representative Marvin Childers. Childers said in part that Petrus "just loved helping people" in his remarks.

Petrus was first elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives in 2002. He would be re-elected in two ensuing races.

Beginning in 2007, Petrus served as the Speaker of the House. He remained in the role until retiring from the House a couple of years later. His other duties in the legislature had included being the Vice Chairman of the House Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development Committee and of the House Committee on Public Transportation.

Petrus was a native of Stuttgart in central Arkansas. He went on to attend the University of Central Arkansas, where he was a member of the baseball team. Before going into politics, Petrus made his living as a farmer and as a car salesman.

After his retirement from the Arkansas House of Representatives, Petrus joined the board of a utility company. As well as President and CEO of a fertilizer equipment manufacturing business.

Benny Petrus was one of three sons born to Bernard 'B.J.' and Earline Petrus. He would have two sons with his wife, Tammy.