Donna Doss
My Condolences.
Shirley and Laura prayers going up for the both of you, my heart goes out to Laura.
Donna Cornett Doss
Laura Mullins
Thank you so much, Donna.
Birth date: Apr 9, 1934 Death date: Oct 8, 2014
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Bill Gordon Neely, age 80, of Damascus, Virginia went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at Wellmont Hospice House from injuries suffered in an automobile accident. Bill was born in Washington County, Virginia on April 9, 1934 where he resided throughout his lifetime. He was of the Methodist faith and belonged to Washington Springs Church. Bill was a self-employed mechanic, owner of General Garage in Damascus. He was known far and wide by his many customers. In his early days, he counted himself fortunate to be associated with the late Don Ironside, who shared his vast mechanical knowledge with him. In later years, he became a “Luthier” (maker of stringed musical instruments), with the help of old time fiddle maker, Albert Hash and his daughter, Audrey. Bill went on to build and repair musical instruments for 33 years. He has instruments all over the United States and several foreign countries. He was also a talented Taxidermist. Bill loved the mountains. He always looked forward to roaming White Top Mountain and Mount Rogers deer hunting or just hiking. By the grace of God and a lot of dedicated doctors and nurses, he was a 36 year survivor of heart disease. Bill was preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Coy and Ethel Stanley. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Shirley of 60 years; one daughter, who he was very proud of, Laura Mullins and a great son-in-law, Steve, of Glade Spring, Virginia; five sisters, Jean Prater and her husband, Terry, of Damascus, Virginia, Brenda McCall and her husband, Eddie, Reba Heath and her husband, Curt, all of Meadowview, Virginia, Karen Smith and her husband, Ray, of Abingdon, Virginia, and Aundra Pritchard and her husband, Larry, of Bluff City, Tennessee; one brother, Eddie Neely and his wife, Jeni, of Abingdon, Virginia; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Saturday, October 11, 2014 at Garrett Funeral Home. Visitors may call at any other times at the residence. A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, October 12, 2014 at Sunset Memorial Park with Pastor Larry Lusk officiating. Pallbearers will be Paul Blackburn, Mike Cornett, Jim Forrester, Billy Rhudy, Quint Reece, and Barry Reece. Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Wilcox, David Henry Sr., Tim Brown, Steve Reece, and Larry Brown. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be sent to Damascus Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 458, Damascus, VA 24236 or to American Heart Association Memorial and Tribute Processing Center, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Wellmont Hospice House for their kindness and care to Bill and his family. Condolences may be sent to the family and viewed by visiting www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Mr. Neely and his family are in the care of Garrett Funeral Home, 203 N. Shady Ave., Damascus, VA 24236, ph.#: 276-475-3631.Read Obituary
My Condolences.
Shirley and Laura prayers going up for the both of you, my heart goes out to Laura.
Donna Cornett Doss
Thank you so much, Donna.
My condolences. I recall Bill as a student at Liberty Hall School, one year behind me. I had not seen him since I graduated in 1951.
Wow. Thanks for remembering him.
Sheriff Fred Newman and the Members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office would like to express their sympathy in the death of Bill Neely. If our Sheriff’s Office can be of assistance to you during your time of sadness, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sheriff Newman and Members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Thank you, Fred. Our family has always admired you and the good work you and your department do.
I was very hurt to hear about Bill's passing. He has worked on many instruments for me and I used to provide him with wormy chestnut for his instruments. I had not talked to him in a couple of years. My heart goes out to the family. Gary Whitt, Saltville, VA
Thank you so much, Gary. Dad always appreciated the wormy chestnut wood and he made some beautiful instruments out of it.
Laura and Shirley, My thoughts and prayers are with you both. I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you, my dear friend.
Thank you, John.
I am very sorry to hear of your sorrow. You are in my prayers.
Sherry Case
Thank you, Sherry.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Family
Thank you so much.
Bill Put A Carburetor On My T-Bird When I Was In High School & Had Me Back On The Road , So I Could Go To My After School Job, He Took Me In Front Of Other Cars He Was Working On ............
Bill Also Made A Guitar For My Son & Everyone That Sees It & Hears It Played Say It Is The Best They Ever Heard . Bill Ways Strove For Perfection In Whatever He Was Working On, Cars Or Musical Instruments !!!!!!!!!!!
Bills Crafts Will Leave A Lasting Impression On Lots Of People !!!!!!!!!!
Sam Campbell
Thank you so much, Sam, for sharing your wonderful memories of Dad with us. We are very proud of him.