Mr. Billy Joe Keefauver, age 84, Gray, passed away Thursday, July 7, 2016 at his residence.
Mr. Keefauver was born in Washington County and son of the late Weldon & Melinda Boy Keefauver. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Jean Leonard Keefauver, and one sister, Kathleen Hall.
He was a lifetime member of Boones Creek Christian Church, where he served as Elder and Deacon.
Mr. Keefauver was a United States Army Veteran serving from 1955-1957.
He was a Farmer and Dairyman. His herd was well known over the southeast winning many awards with his Registered Holstein Cattle. He received Farmer of the Year award from Johnson City Jaycees in 1963, Soil Conservation in 1980, DHIA Farmer of the Year, and Tennessee Valley Farm Family of the Year. He showed prize winning Angus Cattle with Keefauver Brothers Angus Farms. He was director of Washington County Farm Bureau. He was on the Board of Directors for Appalachian Holstein, Tennessee Valley Farm Families, Tennessee Holstein Association, Soil Conservation, and Select Sires, also serving as President of many of these organizations.
Survivors include four daughters and sons-in-laws, Teresa & Gayle Carson, Gray, Cindy & Denny Mayes, Alcoa, TN, Rebecca & Howard Alexander, Jonesborough, and Beth & Mark Fox, Gray; grandchildren, Chasta Hite (Justin), Matt Carson, Bethany Bessom (Matthew), Brett Mayes (Casey), Madison Alexander, Whitley Alexander, Ben Fox (Katie) and Meredith Fox (Jack Dunn); eight great grandchildren; two sisters, Eleanor Keefauver and Martha Warren; sister-in-law, Bessie Leonard; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Celebration of life service will be conducted 11:00 AM Saturday, July 9, 2016 at the Boones Creek Christian Church with Minister David Clark officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Boones Creek Christian Church Fellowship Hall. A private entombment will precede the Celebration of Life Service.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Matt Carson, Brett Mayes, Ben Fox, Matthew Bessom, Justin Hite and Jack Dunn. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Freeman, Lee Freeman, Johnny Gray, Barry Redman, Billy Leonard, Robert Hall, John Payne, Donald Sims, Marty Durham, Dennis Cox; special friends, Dean Crumley, David Saylor, Eddie McCreadie and Jack Frye; and the Men of Home Builders Class.
Memorial donations may be made to Boones Creek Christian Church 305, Christian Church Rd. Johnson City, TN 37615 or Milligan College Athletic Department Attention: Athletic Director, P.O. Box 500 Milligan College, TN 37682.
07/12/2016
Ron & Thelma Thompson
Dear Rebecca,
We were out of town when we heard of the loss of
your dad. We will be praying for God's comfort
for you and your family.
Yours in Christ,
Ron & Thelma Thompson
07/10/2016
Kenneth & Geri Martin Collins
We are so sorry for your loss, but it is
comforting to know he and Jean are together.
07/09/2016
Paulette and Robert Winkle
So sorry we were unable to attend Mr. Keefauver's service.
Please know that you are in our prayers during this time of
loss.
07/09/2016
Ramona Squibb Bird
Teresa Cindy Becky Beth and families:
So sorry to hear of the passing of your precious
Daddy. He was a delightful man and a blessing to
all who knew him. He will be truly missed. So
sorry I could not be there to speak with you
personally but please know that you are in my
thoughts and prayers. Let me know if I can help
you in any way.
Love and prayers....Ramona
07/09/2016
Phyllis Shipley
My first memories of Boone's Creek Church are of
Bill and Jean welcoming Ross and I as newly
married couple visiting Their love of Christ's
work transformed all who they came in contact
with. Love you all and cherish the wonderful
memories. What a blessing to have shared time
with you all.
07/09/2016
Joe and Nancy Brown
We are friends of Cindy, and wish to tell all of
you that your dad has been in our prayers for so
long. I know you have all been through so much,
losing your mom and now your father. Please know
that the Lord will comfort you in your sorrow, but
we know that the grief you feel must be so very
hard. We will continue to pray for each of you.
In Christ, Nancy and Joe
07/09/2016
Bailey and Sandy Leonard
Our condolences to Teresa, Cindy, Rebecca, Beth and their
respective families. The inspirational legacy Bill and Jean
created through their daughters and families serve as a
testament to the quality of the man, husband and father.
07/09/2016
Pamela Overbay
Such a wonderful man!! He is with Jean now!
Dear Rebecca and family, please accept my love
thoughts and prayers at you father's passing.
Altho I didn't know him personally,, I know you
and that tells me he was a wonderful, caring man.
07/08/2016
Lanny & Betty Love
Teresa, I am so sorry about you dad, We had great
times at the fairs and other gatherings. Many fond
memories. Had plan to come to the service, but Lanny
got sick and was not up to coming. You girls had a
great mom and dad we love you all, and you will be
in our thoughts and prayers.
07/08/2016
Barbara Sproule Conklin
My sincere sympathies to you all. You were all so blessed to
have such a wonderful father. Prayers for you all.
Love,
Barbara Sproule Conklin
A girls Daddy is her first love her bestest friend
and hero all her life. The hardest thing she will
do in life is tell him good-bye my heart goes out
to you Rebbeca and your sisters.
I will be unable to attend the memorial service,
but be assured of my love and prayers. Bill and
Jean have left a lasting legacy of Christian faith
and love for family. During the year that I was
privileged to serve the Boones Creek Christian
Church as interim minister, my life was blessed by
the Keefauver family, including you four girls,
your spouses, and your children. May God grant
you comfort and peace for the days to come.
I am praying for your family. May God provide
comfort and peace to all of you. Such a loss to
the community. Rest in Peace.
07/08/2016
Anita Tipton Fleenor
Dear Teresa & girls,
Your daddy was a ray of sunshine in so many lives & could make you
feel like a million dollars. He will be missed by so many. The same
goes for your sweet mama. They both leave such an awesome legacy
to emulate. Yes, it hurts and will continue to, but your strong faith will
be a sustaining comfort.
With sincere condolences,
Jerry & Anita (Tipton) Fleenor
Beth,
My deepest condolences to you and your family over your father's passing. I know that this has been a very hard time for you losing both your parents in such a short time. I don't express myself well in this sort of medium so I will come see you when you return to work. We have you all in our thoughts and prayers.
07/08/2016
Elizabeth (Hodges) Hensley
I have many fond memories of Billy Joe/Jean and the girls. He was a true man of God, his integrity,kindness and love of others was so evident to those of us who knew him. Now he has joined the "love of his life", Jean, and more importantly, his Savior, Jesus Christ. What a glorious reunion it must be! My love and prayers are with you,the family.
07/08/2016
Linda and butch rhodes
We are so very sorry to hear about your dad. He was such a
sweet man and I will treasure the short time I knew him. Many
prayers to all of you. With love, butch and linda
07/07/2016
Ed and Delta Reedy
Our love and deepest sympathy to each of you. Enjoyed being
with your loved one on a cruise a few years ago. Loved both
Billy and Jean.
07/07/2016
Howard& Peggy Potter
We are so sorry. But we know he is happy , he is with his Jean
again. This is one of the finest families I have ever met. We
love you all . God bless each of you.
07/07/2016
Jimmy and Kim Rivers
May God give you the peace and comfort you need during this
difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire
family.
07/07/2016
Alan and Debbie Riggs
We are so very sorry to hear about your Dad. We know how
hard this is after losing your Mother so recently. You all came
from a wonderful family with loving and caring parents. Hold
on to all your wonderful memories and be thankful for them.
You all are in our prayers and we love you all.
Love,
Alan and Debbie Riggs
