Billy Earl VanHoose

Billy Earl VanHoose passed peacefully on December 5th from a stroke after fighting a
one-year battle with ALS. Up until the end, Billy maintained his big smile, love for his
family, and intense dedication to pray for his family. We know he is heaven now with
Jesus!
Billy was autistic and had had 2 strokes in the past, but he never let that slow him down.
He participated in Special Olympics in Michigan and Kentucky and won so many metals
in bowling, basketball, and skiing just to name a few. He loved life and competition and
was very athletic. Billy loved to go visit the local news stations in Michigan and
Evansville and get his picture taken with the news casters. Billy loved the Detroit auto
show and again getting his picture taken with the prettiest celebrities! Billy loved animals
and his dog Katie Bell was his best buddy until she passed last year. All the dogs
seemed to flock to him, and he ate that up.
You cannot talk about Billy without mentioning how much he loved to go fishing with his
cousin Randy Alford! Boy did they have the fish stories to tell! Billy loved to help other
people, and he had so much fun helping our dad build a bridge over the creek on us
farm. Billy also loved his sports teams and loved going to the Detroit Tigers ballgames.
Billy was like a human GPS and knew his way around all over Detroit and basically
anywhere he went. He loved touring Detroit with his dad and recently with his brother
Scotty Conn. Scotty's brother worked for CSX, so Billy hit the Jackpot getting all the
CSX memorabilia. His sister Shari Rehs also gave Billy tours of the Port Huron area,
and he has never let us forget all the details of where he got to go and what he got to
see!
Trains, Trains, Amtrak Trains!!!! This was his life! He has loved trains since he was a
child, and he loved riding the Amtrak train from Carbondale, Il to Detroit, Michigan. Billy
knew everything there was to know about trains and the routes they took and even was
an advocate at the local railroad meetings. His last Amtrak train trip was in June of
2023, and we had planned to go back this year when ALS took over his health.
Billy has lived with his sister Lisa Bartolotto for the past 5 years and loved to help take
care of his mom and hang out with his brother Robert VanHoose and his kids and talk
about sports and play basketball. Billy enjoyed eating and playing games and watching
funniest home videos with his great niece Marina. Billy lived a full life and found joy in all
he did and with all those he met. He was a Prayer Warrior every day and even with his
ALS he still always prayed for others first. HIs smile and love for God will be missed!
Billy is survived by his dad, Larry VanHoose and stepmother, Gail VanHoose of Fenton,
Michigan. His Mother, Hanna VanHoose of Murfreesboro, TN. His sister Lisa Bartolotto
(Enu) of Lascassas, TN. His brother, Robert VanHoose (Chrissy) also of Lascassas,
TN. His half-brother Scotty Conn (Veronica) of Allen Park, Michigan, His half-sister,
Shari Rehs (Bob) of Richmond, Michigan. His half-brother Larry VanHoose, Jr and half-sister
Kimberly Machado both in Michigan. He had an endless number of nieces,
nephews, and cousins.
Funeral service will be 12 PM on Saturday December 13, 2025 at Whitsell Funeral Home in Sturgis, KY. Visitation will be 10AM until service time on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Pythian Ridge Cemetery in Sturgis; KY. Memorial contributions can be made to Jeremiah's Promise (in care of Blackman Church of Christ)
1353 Brinkley Road
Murfreesboro, TN 37128