Bill Gordon Neely

April 9, 1934 - October 8, 2014

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.