CHILHOWIE, Va. Billie Lee Bise, age 78, entered into Heaven on Wednesday, June 6, 2012, from Smyth County Community Hospital after a courageous three year battle with cancer. Born March 2, 1934, to the late Dale and Lockie Bise, Bill lived most of his life in Smyth County, and married his best friend, Betty Sue McGhee Bise on June 25, 1955. Bill served in the U.S. Army for three years, spending time in Munich, Germany after World War II. He retired from Clinchfield Coal Company after 24 years of service, and spent his retirement years gardening, welding, and enjoying his family and friends. Bill was a member of the Chilhowie First Church of God. He was preceded in death by his uncle and aunt, the Rev. Graham and Sarah Chapman and a brother-in-law, Tom Smith. Bill is survived by his bride of 57 years, Betty; one sister, Mary Virginia "Mutt" Smith, Chilhowie; and four children, Songia and Andy Widener, Doug and Rachel Bise, Betsy and Mike Meade, all of Chilhowie, and David Bise of Independence, Va. Bill's grandchildren include Leigh Ann and Vincent Adams, Chilhowie, Cody and Ruth Sturgill, Fletcher, NC, Brook and Derrek Martin, Chilhowie, Kasie and Curtis Rhea, Chilhowie and Daniel and Jennifer Bise, Roanoke. The lights of his life, his great-grandchildren, include Heidi Adams, Harper Adams, Titus Martin, Ian Sturgill, Hudson Sturgill, Macey Martin, Hadley Adams and Makenna Rhea. He is also survived by a host of friends and family and his special breakfast club friends. The family would like to thank Hospice of Southwest Virginia for their care during Bill's illness. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. ~Romans 12:10 13 Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday June 9, 2012, at the First Church of God, 257 Hwy. 107, Chilhowie, VA with the Rev. Bobby Dunn and the Rev. Cody Sturgill officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the First Church of God in Chilhowie or any time at the home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Chilhowie First Church of God Building Fund at PO Box 198, Chilhowie VA 24319. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com Bradley's Funeral Chapel is serving the Bise family.