John Wilburn "Bill" Dickson, Jr

Bill, 78, died at his home with his family by his side on August 24, 2011, after a valiant 20-month battle with cancer. Bill, a Kingsport native, was a graduate of Dobyns-Bennett, LMU and ETSU. At DB, Bill was a catcher for the baseball team and was a member of the 1952 State Championship team. He went on to catch at LMU, where the team won several championships and he was inducted into their Sports Hall of Fame. He served in the US Army at Fort Rucker, AL, was a TSSAA official for 40-years, taught and coached at Ketron High School, taught Driver Training at Dobyns-Bennett and then left education to work at Holston Defense for 31 years, 8 months, 18 days and 35 minutes as a Safety Technologist. Bill was a charter member of Bethel Presbyterian and was a current member of First Presbyterian Church. He served as a Deacon in both churches. He was a life-long blood donor at Marsh Blood Bank, where he donated 17 gallons of blood. Bill was known for delivering red carnations at Valentines' Day and making homemade pimento cheese. He was very proud of his family and stressed the importance of education. He saw all of his children graduate from college and post-graduate schools with a total of 13 degrees.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Mr. J. Wilburn Dickson, Sr. and Carrie H. Dickson, his brother, Charles Hicks Dickson and sister, Agnes D. Wininger. He is survived by his dedicated and loving wife of 53 years, Elizabeth Sitgreaves Dickson, whom Bill credited with raising their six children: Katherine D. Emerson and husband Doug of Chattanooga, TN, Cynthia D. Sharitt and husband Don of Columbus, GA, Billie D. Walden and husband Cleon of Goose Creek, SC, Sally D. Hull and husband Dan of Australia, John W. Dickson, III and wife Stephanie of Smyrna, GA and Joseph W. Dickson of Houston, TX; his sisters, Louise D. Hawk and Peggy D. Harvey; sister-in-law, Ann L. Dickson, all of Kingsport; thirteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild; also numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, August 27, 2011 from 1-3:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson, Kingsport and on Sunday, August 28, 2011 from 1-3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Kingsport. Services will follow at 3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, The Rev. Dr. David A. Cagle officiating, graveside services to follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Waverly Road Food Pantry at 1415 Waverly Road, Kingsport, TN 37664, 423-247-5121 or First Presbyterian Church at 100 West Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660, 423-245-0104.