William Alfred Gillespie of Elizabethton, better known as John Henry passed away March 13, 2014 at the age of 81, just a few days shy of his 82nd birthday. Born in March 1932, He was a native of Limestone, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Roxie and Alfred Gillespie, younger brother Frank, and first wife Omie Watson Gillespie.
He is survived by his wife of the house: Phyllis Gillespie, her children and grandchildren; five sisters: Louise Banks, Mary Kate Reeves, Annie Ruth Duncan, Alma Fordham, Shirley Ernest, Evelyn Gillespie; two brothers: Fred Gillespie and Theodore Gillespie; and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church of Elizabethton, Tennessee. He was employed at first united Methodist of Elizabethton until retirement.
There will be no formal visitation. A memorial service will be held at a later date. His body has been donated to Quillen College of Medicine.