Billy Ray Blair, 84, of Elk Park, N.C. (Heaton Community), passed away Friday, January 20, 2017, at Life Care Center.
A native of Avery County, N.C., he was a son of the late Oscar and Myrtle Stansberry Blair.
Mr. Blair was a professional painter for 35 years. He took after his father and enjoyed working with wood, making sleds. He was of the Baptist Faith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Earnest Blair, Hazen Blair, Junior Blair and Lloyd Blair, and three sisters, Lilly Blair, Carlene Hicks and Susie Blair.
Survivors include four sons, Ray and Sandy Blair, Steve and Angie Blair, Chucky and Sunny Blair and Terry and Cindy Jones; four daughters, Wilma and David Blair, Lisa Blair Poole, Anna Blair and Jenny and Jerry Clark; two sisters, Jean Blair Mowder and Doyle Ward; 19 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Billy Ray Blair will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, January 23, at Elk Valley Baptist Church, Elk Park, N.C., with the Rev. John McCoury officiating. Music will be provided by KC & The Elk Valley Boys and Lisa Poole. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Active pallbearers will be grandsons. The family would like to express a special “Thank You” to the staff of Life Care Center for the love and tender care they provided to Billy. The family will receive friends from noon until 2 p.m. Monday at Elk Valley Baptist Church, Heaton, N.C. Friends may also visit with the family at the residence of Wanda Frye, Roan Mountain. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website at www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Blair family.