Virgil Allen Bullard

Virgil Allen Bullard, 83, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 27, 2017. He had been under hospice care, residing in Jamestown with his wife of 49 years.
Allen is survived by wife, Milbrey Bullard; daughter, Virginia Adams; grandsons, Jared Adams and Julian Adams; brother, Tom Bullard and wife Carol; brother, Dan Bullard; brother, Wayne Bullard and wife Shirley; sister, Agnes Ryans and husband James; brother-in-law, Clayton Brown; brother, Michael Bullard and wife Bonnie; along with many beloved nieces and nephews.
His parents, James Virgil and Sarah Bullard; sister, Sue Brown; sister-in-law, Margaret Bullard; and niece, Emily Thomson preceded him in death.
Allen was born in the Emory Heights community, specifically "Bullard Holler" in Harriman on March 31, 1934. Allen was the firstborn child to James and Sarah, the eldest of his siblings. He lived in Bullard Holler 82 years before having to move to a skilled care facility. He spent countless hours farming that land in his youth and continued to enjoy the woods there until his mobility would no longer allow it. In his youth, he enjoyed working on the family farm, hunting, playing baseball (where he received his nickname, "Big AL") training horses with his father and spending time in the woods with his dogs and brothers. For a portion of his youth, he helped his father with deliveries of dry-cleaned lab coats via horse and buggy to the gates of Oak Ridge, when it was a gated, top-secret city.
As an adult, he worked at a large-scale dairy farm, transitioning to the Norris Creamery in Harriman, where he loved to produce cottage cheese. One of his proudest memories was of working closely with a University of Tennessee professor on a scientific study regarding the growth of bacteria in cottage cheese. As a man with only a second grade education and being unable to read, he naturally excelled in measurements and capacities and was honored to be invited to work on such a project.
After the Norris Creamery closed, he spent most of his adult life partnered with his brother Tom building homes while his brother Dan did the electrical work. Several of his nephews were trained in the skills of building under the "Bullard Brothers," and Allen took great pride not only in that, but in having provided homes to so many families across Roane County. He was renowned to always outperform the "young whipper snappers" on his job sites, often turning construction tasks into games of speed and accuracy. On more than one occasion, he saved men from falls and prevented accidents with his watchful eye and legendary strength.
Allen suffered a back injury on a job site in 1989 and was eventually forced to retire from construction. In a strange twist of circumstances, he discovered a love and talent of quilting with his wife, Milbrey. Demand grew and they went into business. They had clients all over East Tennessee and made many dear friendships over the years, traveling far and wide to deliver their goods. He often joked with Milbrey that he would do the dishes in the sink to keep his hands and nails clean for his handiwork. What a departure from his construction days!
He enjoyed yard sales and flea markets, vegetable gardening, making woodcrafts from cedar harvested from his home in Bullard Holler, old westerns and country music. He had a special way with animals. Woodland creatures would often eat from his hands on his long walks in nature. More than anything, he enjoyed spending time with those he loved.
Allen's greatest joy came from his family. Milbrey was his right hand for 50 years and his primary concern at the end of his life was her wellbeing. His daughter, Virginia, answered to the word "Beautiful," as if it were her name. She always tells people that he is the "man that hung the moon." When his first grandson, Jared Allen, came along, he became "Pa." Jared became Pa's shadow, tagging along with him everywhere, spending hours chasing trains, playing cards and watching movies. Julian came along 12 years after his big brother and shared Pa's innate talent for all things construction, as well as his deep love of the outdoors and country living. His grandsons were the apple of his eye and his ultimate joy; they could do no wrong in his eyes.
Allen died of congestive heart failure after having suffered from paralysis and respiratory issues over the past year. His kind and gentle nature touched countless people through the years. He had a big smile for everyone he greeted and would always do anything he could to help someone in need. He will be sorely missed by his family, and his love will live on in those closest to him.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 9, at Emory Heights Missionary Baptist Church, 326 Emory Heights Road, Harriman, TN 37748. Memorial donations may be made to the Trust of Milbrey Bullard at Signature Healthcare of Fentress County, 208 North Duncan Street, Jamestown, TN 38556. She is also under hospice care. Kyker Funeral Home, Harriman, is in charge of arrangements. www.kykerfuneralhomes.com