William Roger “Chigger” Vance, 68, passed away on Monday, May 12, 2014, in Holston Valley Medical Center. Mr. Vance was born on January 17, 1946, in Elizabethton, Tenn., the son of the late William Henry Vance and Bessie M. Miller Vance. Mr. Vance was a former resident of Roan Mountain, Tenn., having attended Cloudland High School and a Vietnam Veteran 1966-1967 with the United States Army 53rd Signal Battalion. He received the following decorations, medals and citations: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Marksman Badge M-14 Rifle, Vietnam Counter Offensive Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Mr. Vance was so proud of his Army military service to be passed on to his sons Roger “Todd” Vance, who retired with 20 years of service, and Kevin D. Vance, who medically retired having served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2002, and both were highly decorated. His grandson, PFC Roger E. Vance, is a Combat Medic in the 6th Ranger Training Battalion with the United States Army at Camp James E. Rudder and continues to carry on the family pride. He was a member of St. Lukes United Methodist Church and a lifetime member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 979 of Kingsport. He retired from Sprint Phone Company with 33 years of service as a PBX installer repair. He was preceded in death by one brother, Bobby Gene Vance, and one sister, Virginia Holtzclaw.
Mr. Vance is survived by his wife of 48 years, Vickie L. Vance; two sons: Roger “Todd” Vance and wife Debra of Huntsville, Ala.; and Kevin D. Vance and wife Melissa of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; seven grandchildren: Ashley Nichole Vance, PFC Roger E. Vance, Austin Vance, Dylan Vance, Shelby Loyd, Jeff Loyd and Sam Loyd; two sisters: Elwanda Nave of Elizabethton; and Yvonne Birchfield and husband David of California; two brothers: James R. Vance and wife Mavis of California; and Kelly Vance and wife Ann of Tennessee; one sister-in-law, Gladys M. Vance of Roan Mountain; beloved dog, Crickett; and several special nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mr. William Roger Vance will be held Thursday, May 15, 2014, at 7 p.m. in the East Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Gerald Holly and Pastor Susan Arnold officiating. Honors will be rendered by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 979 of Kingsport. Graveside services will be held Friday, May 16, 2014, at 10 a.m. in the Happy Valley Memorial Park with military honors to be rendered by the American Legion Hammond Post #3 and Gate City Post #265. Pallbearers will be Mr. Vance’s sons and grandsons. Honorary pallbearer will be Paul Williams. The family will receive friends Thursday, May 15, 2014 in the East Lawn Funeral Home Chapel from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
The family wishes to say a special thanks to W3 Wilcox Hall Nursing Staff, D.O. Tonya Hall Carr and Dermatology Associates of Kingsport for continued support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 979, PO Box 3983, Kingsport, TN 37664, Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or to charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent to the Vance family by visiting www.eastlawnkingsport.com
East Lawn Funeral Home, 4997 Memorial Blvd, Kingsport, TN 37664; 423-288-2081; is serving the Vance family.