Billy Buford Neely

He graduated from Tennessee Tech with a Bachelors in Civil Engineering, started his Masters Degree at M.I.T. in Boston and finished his masters at U.T. Knoxville. Billy's first job was working Clark Daily & Deitz Engineering and designed the interstate in Memphis, Tennessee, worked at N.A.S.A. at Red Stone Arsenal, he designed the scaffolding for the Apollo. He was in the Army during the Korean War and served as a military policeman. He was an outstanding sportsman and voted best all around athlete at Cumberland County High School. Billy loved basketball, table tennis and he was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame for table tennis. He was a U.S. Champion for the Senior Olympics winning 5 gold medals. Billy was a master carpenter with the ability to look at a picture and build without any plans.

He was preceded in death by parents, Hughey and Lula Neely; son, Cary Mitchell Neely; sister, Barbara Anderson; grandsons, David Andrew Dyer and Lance Neely. Billy was a great husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.

He is survived by wife of 71 years, Joan Marie Neely; son, Billy Buford Neely Jr; daughter, Tara Marie Dyer; grandson, Micah Neely; granddaughters: Julia Macy Neely, Kaylee Marie Dyer and Kelsee Ann Dyer; great-grandsons, Waylon Neely and Abel Connor Hawkins; brother, Aaron (Maren) Neely; numerous nieces, nephews and family and special friend, Dwayne Kitchel.

Family and friends will meet Monday, September 18, 2023, at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, Gov. John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN for a 12:30 PM graveside service. Condolences may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com