Billy Wayne Riddle

Billy Wayne Riddle passed from this life on February 15, 2026, at the age of 77, while holding the hand of his best friend and wife of fifty-five years, surrounded by love and his family.

Bill was born August 24, 1948, in Winchester, Tennessee. He was the seventh and youngest child of the late John Riley Riddle, Sr., and Susie Arvella Reavis Riddle. Bill grew up in Awalt, Tennessee, a small community he loved and claimed as his hometown, even though it had been submerged by Tims Ford Lake long ago. He loved to tell stories about the mischief he and his five brothers, and one sister got into, including, on more than one occasion, skipping school to go fishing. His late siblings James Riddle, Leon "Buddy" Riddle, John "Johnny" Riddle, Jr. (and wife, Barbara Tankersley Riddle), Catherine Riddle Alonso (and husband, Carl Alonso), Ralph Riddle (and former wife, Helen Riddle) and Joe C. Riddle shaped his life and blessed him with many beautiful nephews and nieces whom he loved dearly.

Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968 and spent a year stationed in South Korea, where he was a diesel mechanic. He was then stationed in Fort Carson, Colorado, where he met the love of his life, Patty Rose Dazzo Riddle. In addition to falling in love with Patty, he fell in love with her parents, the late Lee Dazzo and Frances Mulay Dazzo, despite the fact that "Ma", as he affectionately referred to her, served him a traditional Sicilian meal of babbalucci (snails) the first time he was invited over to a family meal. After marrying Patty twice (once secretly and once in a traditional large Sicilian wedding), they welcomed their favorite son, Shannon Lee Riddle, and their favorite daughter, Laura Dawn Riddle, into the family. For all the years after, Bill's world revolved around his dear family.

The pride and joy of his life were his grandchildren, Quentin Riddle, Avery McLean, Gabriel Landon Pickering, Jocelyn Pickering, Kyle Swinford, and the late Cortney Swinford. Whether it was hunting with Quentin, watching Avery shine on stage, attending band concerts to hear Landon play his tuba, playing all the games with Jocelyn, or bragging about Kyle and Cortney, he was present every day, for all the big and little milestones, in the lives of his beloved grandchildren.

Bill was a master carpenter. He excelled at his trade, building countless homes and fixing this and that for just about anybody and everybody. After retiring, Bill and Patty visited every yard sale and auction they could find. Bill greatly enjoyed their booths and his friends at the Monteagle Flea Market and Highway 55 Flea Market. Bill remained a proud U.S. Army veteran his entire life, and his family is especially thankful for the compassionate and dedicated care he received from the Nashville VA Medical Center and the Alvin C. York Medical Center in Murfreesboro.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Patty Rose Dazzo Riddle; his son, Shannon Riddle; his daughter, Laura Riddle Pickering; his son-in-law, Charles Lex Pickering; and his grandchildren, Quentin Riddle, Kyle Swinford, Avery McLean, Gabriel Landon Pickering, and Jocelyn Pickering. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Evelene Riddle, Edith Riddle, Diane Riddle, and Mary Lou Dazzo, and brothers-in-law, Sam Dazzo and Joe Dazzo. He leaves behind a host of nephews and nieces and other family and friends that he loved dearly.

Visitation for Billy Wayne Riddle will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 5 pm to 8 pm at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home and on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at the Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 3 pm with Howard Riddle officiating. Burial will follow at Pennington Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneral home.com

Daves-Culbertson funeral home is honored to assist the family of Billy Riddle.