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- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 5 Sep 2013.
William "Billy" Gilbert, Jr., 61, passed peacefully from this life into the arms of Jesus at his home in Parrottsville, TN on Friday, August 30, 2013, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born on May 4, 1952, in Newport, TN.
He was a faithful member of the Newport Church of Christ, and the three men he admired most were the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
He was a proud business owner in Newport for over 30 years, and he successfully owned and operated Victory Lanes Bowling Center for the last 18 years.
Billy was a dedicated dad, husband, uncle, brother-in-law, and friend and will be greatly missed by everyone whose life was touched by knowing him.
Billy's favorite hobby was studying the Bible and learning as much as he could about the Word of God. He was also an avid deer hunter with his special friend "Dad" O'Dell, and enjoyed fishing, camping with family members, and coaching various sports teams throughout the years.
Billy was preceded in death by his father William B. Gilbert, mother Vica Ida Maddron, special uncle J.U. "Buster" Gilbert, special brother-in-law Gary Williams, brothers Ralph Gilbert, Doyle Gilbert, and Harley J. Gilbert, and sister Ruby Barr.
Billy is survived by his loving wife of 40 years Vickie Gilbert of Parrottsville; daughter Tracey Gilbert, of Newport, son Keith Gilbert, of Parrottsville, stepson James B. Williams, of Knoxville, stepson Lee Merritt of Raleigh, NC, two granddaughters, Jacklyn and Jamie Merritt, both of Raleigh, NC, one great-grandson, Kevin Cheek, of Raleigh, NC, special aunt Betty Henderson, of Newport, brothers and sisters Brenda Williams of Newport, Lesa Stafford and husband Greg of Limestone, TN, Vikki Felts and husband David of Knoxville, Mike Gilbert and wife Pat of Houston Valley, Steve Gilbert and wife Donna of Newport, John Gilbert and wife Billie of Greeneville, Ronnie Maddron and wife Serita of Newport, Bobby Gilbert and wife Kaye of Greeneville, Tony Gilbert and wife Jill of Asheville, NC, Terry Gilbert and wife Debbie of Greeneville, Lynda Austin and husband Ron of Limestone, Marie Lawing and husband Bill of Greeneville, brother-and-sister-in-law Mike and Julie Merritt of Augusta, GA, and many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, church family, and bowling alley family members.
A memorial service will be held at Newport Church of Christ, 245 Woodlawn Ave., Newport at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2013. The family will be receiving friends and relatives from 12:00-1:00 p.m. A fellowship meal will follow the memorial service at the church for those who would like to attend.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Costner-Maloy Funeral Home to help with final expenses. You may go on-line to sign guest registry.
Cremation arrangements by Costner-Maloy Funeral Home
www.costnermaloyfuneralhome.com
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 5 Sep 2013.
Services set for Gilbert, local business owner, on Saturday
Author: Duay O'Neil
NEWPORT-Memorial services are scheduled for local business owner William 'Billy' Gilbert, Jr. on Saturday at Newport Church of Christ starting at 1:00 p.m.
Gilbert, 61, died at his Parrottsville home on Friday, August 30, 2013. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007.
Since 1996, he and his wife Vickie had owned and operated Victory Bowling Lanes.
Born in the old Valentine-Shults Hospital on May 4, 1952, he was one of eighteen children of the blended family of the late William B. and Vice (Maddron) Gilbert, Sr.
As a boy, he lived in the Houston Valley community and attended school at Cedar Creek Elementary and South Greene High Schools in Greene County. In later years, he earned his GED.
For approximately 40 years, he had been a part of Newport's business scene, first as co-owner of Big Red Arcade in Bryant Town with Buster Gilbert, Randall Smithpeters, and Swan Owenby.
In the 1980s, he owned and operated The Frontier Shop, located on Hwy. 25/70, and during this era became active in the Cocke County Archery Club, organizing tournaments at the local fairgrounds.
In the 1990s, he and Smithpeters owned The Car Lot, near the intersection of Broadway and Cope Boulevard.
In 1996, he purchased Kara Bowling Alley from Ralph Valentine. “He and mom had been bowling for several years,” said Gilbert’s daughter Tracey, “and when Ralph wanted to retire he bought it. I remember he just came home one day and told my mother ‘I just bought you a bowling alley.’”
He and his wife Vickie changed the business’s name to Victory Bowling Lanes.
In addition to his business ventures, Gilbert was also active in local recreational sporting leagues for many years, coaching women’s volleyball and softball teams in the 1970s and later, with his son Keith, coaching Little League baseball through the 1990s.
“He loved children,” said his daughter, “and would give them quarters to put into the machines at the arcade. He was passionate about treating everyone the same.”
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping at Cades Cove and Elkmonth.
For the past six years, he had also been active in Newport Church of Christ.
As a member of an exceptionally large family, he also enjoyed hosting the Gilbert family every Thanksgiving at the bowling alley. “We’d have potluck meals, visit, and bowl,” said his daughter, “with as many as 150 people in attendance.”
Costner-Maloy is handling the arrangements.
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1952 - 2013 (61 years)
