Billy Roy Prillaman

Published 2:29 pm Thursday, January 30, 2025

Billy Roy Prillaman, age 77, of Elizabethton, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, at the Johnson City Medical Center. Bill was born in Oceana, West Virginia, to the late Jefferson Junior Prillaman and Leola Su Prillaman. In addition to his parents, Bill was also preceded in death by a sister, Glenna Short, and several uncles, aunts and a niece.

Bill had worked and retired at Snap-on Tools of Elizabethton, where he served for 29 years. He was a United States Army veteran during the Vietnam War. He was always there when anyone needed him, and he loved his family beyond measure. Bill was a wonderful husband and of the Baptist faith. He enjoyed working on race cars, collecting guns and hunting. Bill was an avid shooter and spent a lot of time at the shooting range, making many friends there.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Cleta Prillaman; six daughters, Sandra Porter of Mountain City, Lisa Preslor and Mark Kelly of Johnson City, Tammy Dugger and husband, Steve, of Butler, Debra Prillaman of Johnson City, Brandy Ledford of Elizabethton, and Becky Stout of Oklahoma; one son, David Birchfield of Morristown; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and a cousin, Bobby Shumate, also survives.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be conducted at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton, with Pastor Steve Dugger officiating. The family will receive friends between the hours of 5 and 6 p.m. in the funeral home chapel prior to the service on Saturday.

The graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, at Mountain Home National Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded at the graveside. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Mountain Home National Cemetery (53 Memorial Blvd., Historic Section) at 12:50 p.m. on Tuesday.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Gary Holtsclaw, John Corder, Eddie Williams, Anthony Porter and Peter Klusky for all the friendship and support throughout the years.

Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations in memory of Bill to the veterans program of their choice or to the NRA Foundation, ATTN: Finance, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030.

Words of sympathy may be shared with the family by visiting our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton is honored to serve the Prillaman family. Office phone: (423) 542-2232.