Billy J. Carter, 80, Elizabethton, passed away Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at Ivy Hall Nursing Home.
A native of Carter County, he was a son of the late Fred W. and Donna Marie Hyatt Carter.
Bill was employed at the Elizabethton Fire Department for 43 years, the last 15 years he served as Fire Chief. Station 3 was named in his honor. He was a 50-year member of Dashiell Masonic Lodge #238, was a Shriner, member of Jericho Temple, Kingsport, and Kerbella Temple, Knoxville. He had served on the Board of 911 for several years and as a City Council member and Mayor Protem.
Bill was a member of the Senior League Softball Team, Johnson City. He was a member of East Side Christian Church but attended First Christian Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Edens.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Roberta Jackson Carter; a daughter and son-in-law, Tina and Buddy Collins, Elizabethton; a granddaughter, Kortney Collins; a niece, Claudia Ledford and husband Roger, and several other nieces and nephews; and two sisters-in law, Louise Shields and Kathryn Perry.
Funeral services for Mr. Carter will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday, November 21, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with Mr. John H. Smith officiating. The eulogy will be given by Mr. Jim Greene. John and Mary Smith and Larry Jeffers will provide the music. Active pallbearers and special honors will be provided by the Elizabethton Fire Department. Honorary pallbearers will be former employees of the Elizabethton Fire Department, Fire Chiefs of the Tri-Cities area, present and former members of the Elizabethton City Council, members and former members of the Elizabethton Police Department and his many friends. The family would like to express a special “Thank You” to the staff of Ivy Hall Nursing Home and the Third Floor Staff of Sycamore Shoals Hospital. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Friends may also visit with the family at his residence. Graveside services and interment will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 22, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 10:20 a.m. Saturday to go to the cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family on our website: www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Carter family.