Bill Rhea Starnes

Lieutenant Colonel Bill Rhea Starnes, 64, of Blountville, TN passed away Friday, August 24, 2012. Bill is a member of the Colonial Heights United Methodist Church. He graduated from ETSU with a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Technology in 1969. His flight career started at the age of 14 when he was taught how to fly by his father Rhea. He graduated Flight School at Fort Rucker, AL, on March 23, 1971. He qualified in the UH-1A/B/D/H and the TH-55 helicopters. He qualified in the AH-1G Cobra on May 3, 1971, and was then assigned to C Troop, 7/17 Air Cavalry in Vietnam where he flew approximately 800 combat hours. He was transferred to Btry B, 4th BN, 77th FA, 101st Airborne Division, Ft. Campbell, KY, in June 1972. In April 1974, he joined the TN Army National Guard as a 1LT, assigned to the Army Aviation Flight Facility in Smyrna, TN. In October 1978, he qualified in the UH-1M aircraft and was assigned to the Aviation Flight Facility #2, in Louisville, TN where he also qualified in the OH-58A/C, OH-6, AH-1F, and the OH-58D helicopters, commanding multiple line units, and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In addition to a tour in Vietnam, he also deployed with the Paladin Troop to Kosovo in 2005-2006.

He retired from the military on March 15, 2009 with 39 years of service having achieved the following awards: Bronze Star , Meritorious Service Medal , 2- Air Medal with Valor, Army Commendation Medal, 9- Army Achievement Medals, 5 - Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals, 3- National Defense Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" device, 3- Armed Forces Reserve Medals, Army Service Ribbon, Republic Of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, NATO medal, Republic Of Vietnam Campaign Medal w 60 Device, Vietnam Service medal with 4 campaign stars, 2- Overseas Service Ribbons, Master Army Aviator Badge, 7- TN National Guard Service Ribbons, TN National Guard Unit Commendation Ribbon, TN National Guard Volunteer Ribbon.

During his service in the National Guard Bill worked for Pittston Coal Company as well as Alpha Natural Resources. He was currently chief pilot for K-VA-T Food Stores and Central Coal Company.

Bill was preceded in death by mothers, Louise Culpepper Starnes and Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Starnes.

He is survived by his adoring wife of two years, Lisa; sons, Jason Starnes and wife, Felicity, and Justin Starnes and wife, Rachel; step-children, Tyler Barnett, and Rikki Keaton and husband, Kenny; grandchildren, Harley Rhea, Christian, McKenzie and Austin; father, William Rhea Starnes; a cousin, more like a brother, Charles Richmond, wife Jane, Anthony and Caitlin; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family members too numerous to mention, that were near and dear to Bill's heart.

The family will receive friends on Friday, August 31st from 5-8:00 pm at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church Ministry Center.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, September 1st, at 2:00 pm at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church with Chaplain David Collins and Rev. Robert Burlingham officiating. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service.

Burial will follow the service at Tri-Cities Memory Gardens. Military honors will be conducted by the Tennessee National Guard.

Honorary pallbearers will be Chester Buchanan, Bundy Musick and Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Club.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Bill's name to the charity of one's choice.