Billy Monroe Heidel

Billy Monroe Heidel, 84, passed away March 5, 2016, at his home in Harriman.
Billy was born Sept. 12, 1931, in Wartburg, to William and Louise Shannon Heidel.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lee, Roscoe, Lewis and Johnny Heidel; and sisters, Nellie Bingham and Dorene Blair.
On Feb. 12, 1973, he married Joyce Hamby Heidel; they were married for 43 years. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; son, Gary Heidel (Wanda) of Knoxville; daughter, Sharon Shirley of Waverly, Ohio; grandsons, Chris Heidel (Jennifer) of Charlotte, N.C., and Josh Heidel of Knoxville; granddaughter, Sara Shirley of Aiken, S.C.; sisters, Lena Mae Basler (Johnny) of Oakdale and Minnie Barnard (Ted) of Palatka, Fla.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Also, a special thanks to Yolanda Tinker, who helped care for him.
Billy served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.
He started working at Christmas Lumber Co., and then for Union Carbide Corp. at Y-12 and K-25 for 32 years.
He retired at age 52 and moved to Palatka, where he lived for 28 years.
He loved to play musical instruments and sing Southern gospel and bluegrass gospel. He was with singing groups all his adult life and loved every minute singing about God and his Lord.
He enjoyed fishing, shrimping and camping. He had a green thumb when it came to gardening, and he was a great cook.
He was a member of Piney Baptist Church in Oakdale.
Special thanks to Professional Case Management, hospice, Roane Medical Center and especially the nurses in day surgery and all.
The family received friends 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 7, at Schubert Funeral Home in Wartburg. Funeral services were 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 8, at Schubert Funeral Home in Wartburg with Bro. Pat McGhee, Bro. Brett Chambers and Bro. Travis Langley officiating. Interment followed in the Piney Church Cemetery in Oakdale.