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For more than six decades, Eddie (’61) and Billye Joyce (Vance ’63) Fine, who reside in Elizabethton, have lived out Milligan’s founding principle – Christian Education, the Hope of the World – from their time as Milligan students, to their ample and varied writings and publications, service to churches, schools, teacher training conferences throughout the country and around the world, and their generosity to their alma mater.
The couple were awarded Milligan University’s Distinguished Fide et Amore Award at this spring’s commencement.
Billye Joyce is concluding an illustrious 60-year career in education, having served as middle school teacher in Titusville and St. Petersburg, Fla., principal of PreK-8th Grade in St. Petersburg, Fla., and the Director of Teacher Education and Professor at Milligan. She has been a visiting professor to numerous universities, served as trustee in others, and has supervised interns, student teachers, and practicum teachers in most of our area schools. Billye Joyce has received countless awards and recognitions in Florida and Tennessee, and she is beloved by her students. While teaching at Milligan, she has served at Downtown Christian Church in Johnson City, Imagination Library of Elizabethton/Carter County, Ronald McDonald House, Upper East TN and Carter County Head Start Policy Boards, Pre-K Council of Elizabethton/Carter County, Delta Kappa Gamma Teacher Organization, Monday Club, and others. She, also, contributed to the development of a Bible for children, traveling to different countries for research.
Eddie has had a most effective 65-year ministry from Florida to Tennessee, serving as youth minister and teacher in public school, minister of education, associate minister, and senior minister. He has represented Milligan at the North American Christian Convention, Standard Publishing, Gospel Light Publications, and Kentucky Christian University, as he led the Fine Ministries. Eddie was a Milligan Trustee for 35 years while in Florida and has been a member of the Board of Advisors for the university and seminary since 2001. He has served with the Johnson City Development Authority and the Appalachian Christian Village (now Abundant Life) Board, as he ministered to Downtown Christian Church.
The Fines have one son, Jeremy, a West Point graduate and CFO of Chicago Transit; a daughter-in-law, Michelle; and a grandson, Van.