1st Sgt. Billy E. Christian

1ST Sgt. Billy E. Christian, 81, of Kingsport, TN, went home to be with the Lord, on Sunday, August 17, 2014. Bill was born on June 10, 1933 in Sullivan County, where he had lived his entire life. Bill was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in Korea in 1953-1954. After returning from active duty he enlisted in the National Guard Army in 1955. He served in the anti-aircraft battalion, infantry battalion and tank battalion. Bill later changed to the 3077 transportation unit as 1st sergeant and sergeant major for a short time. He helped organize unit 278 and was 1st sergeant until his retirement after 41 years and 3 month.

Bill was a retired truck driver and later became president of Jim's Lawn Center where he enjoyed his hobby of working on lawn mowers. He loved his coworkers and considered them part of his family. Bill was a loving husband, devoted father, and a wonderful "Pappy" to his grandchildren. He was a member of Indian Springs Baptist Church, Glenwood Campus, for more than 53 years. Bill loved to fish and spend time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, April Moody; granddaughter, Leslie Nicole Moody; parents, John and Hattie Christian; sister, Pauline Tester; brother, J.D. Christian; and nephew, Ricky Christian.

Billy is survived by his wife of 59 years, Maridane Hood Christian; 2 daughters, Page Tate and husband, Eddie of Kingsport, and Jill Schindler and fiancé, Ricky Laborde of Louisiana; grandchildren, Katie Swann, Courtney Nobles, Lauren Booher, and fiancé, Cody Henry, Ray Schindler, Ezra Tate, Isaac Tate and Angela Liles; great-grandchildren, Christian and Madison Tate, and Rylan Henry; brothers, Calvin, Johnny and Larry Christian, all of Kingsport; sister, Mary Ruth Bates of Kingsport; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 12-2:00 pm at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm with Pastor Wayne Baker and Pastor Charles Roberts officiating. A military graveside service will be conducted at East Lawn Memorial Park following the funeral service. Military Rites will be by American Legion Posts 3/265.

Pallbearers will be Brennan Maxey, Bob Cathey, Ronnie Hale, Chris Hale, Skip Tester, Wayne Christian, Fred Holcombe and Don Mutter. Honorary pallbearers will be Gail Osborne, Sam McGee and Haskell Jones.

A special thank you to all the wonderful staff at Wellmont Medical Associates Oncology and Hematology, Wellmont Hospital Oncology floor W-3, and to the wonderful nurses at Amedysis.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Place, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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