William R. Botts

William R. (Bill) Botts was born May 2, 1928 to Will P. and Lillie Cunningham Botts in downtown Kingsport and passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2018. He was educated at Dickson Elementary, Sullivan High School, and East Tennessee State University. Bill was a member of the 278th Regiment of the Tennessee National Guard. He served in the military in Korea with H Company, 31st Regimental Combat Unit, 7th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. He was promoted to Sergeant First Class while fighting in Korea. On returning home he went back to work at Tennessee Eastman Company as a chemist in the Organic Chemical Division. He worked there for 46 years. He was also a current member of the American Legion. Bill was a former member of Vermont United Methodist Church, and currently was a member of Ridgeview Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Mae and husband, Lewis Joyner, Ethel and husband, Sam Price, and Pauline Botts; and several nieces and nephews.

Bill is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty Jo Breeding Botts; his daughter, Tina and husband, Todd Merker; his granddaughter, Abbie Merker; special friends, Charlene Clark, Laura and Wendell Smith, and Bryan and Abbi Clark; goddaughters, Madison Hart (Hunter and Nora), and Makenna Smith; sisters-in-law, Patsy Campbell and Mary Cumbow; brothers-in-law, Jack Breeding (wife Billie Ann), Kenneth Breeding (wife, Ann), and several nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to his friend and neighbor, Barbara Dennis, who has cared for Bill and Betty.

The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Jon Rogers officiating.

The graveside service will be held on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Oak Hill Memorial Park.

Honorary pallbearers will be Nursery & Toddlers from Vermont Methodist Church, 1990-2001.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Ridgeview Baptist Church, 234 Hurd Rd., Church Hill, TN 37642, or to Vermont Methodist Church, 1817 Bloomingdale Rd. Kingsport, TN 37660.

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