William T Runion

William "Tucker" Runion, age 89, of Erwin, passed away Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at the Center on Aging and Health. He was a native of Unicoi County and the son of the late George Arlee and Edith Tucker Runion. Tucker was a member of Shallow Ford Baptist Church. He served in the United States Army as a Corporal with the 159th Combat Engineers Battalion during World War II. He retired after working Construction Manangement. Other than his parents Mr. Runion is preceded in death by wife, Ruby Ray Runion, sisters; Pauline Moore, Millie Parsons, Virginia Laffertee and brothers; Lewis Runion and James Lee Runion.

He leaves behind:

Son: William "Bill" Runion of Erwin;

Brothers: Tommy Runion of Erwin,

Charles Runion of North Carolina;

Sisters: JoAnn Lockhart of Las Vegas,

Mary Rayburn of Chester, West Virginia;

Grandchildren: Becky Moore and husband, Tracy of Erwin,

Willy Runion and wife, DeeDee of Limestone, TN,

Great Grandchildren: Hillary Edwards, Garret Edwards, Ivey Runion, Lexi Runion, and Allie Runion

The family would like to express a sincere appreciation to the Unicoi County Memorial Hospital Staff, to the Center on Aging and Health and to Caris Hospice. A very special appreciation is extended to Sherry Buck.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of Valley Funeral Home. Reverend Harold Lewis will officiate. Willy Runion will provide the Eulogy. Musical selections will be under the direction of Gary Amos. Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday from noon until service time at Valley Funeral Home. The committal service will follow the funeral service at Ray Cemetery, in the Devil's Fork community, with the Tennessee National Honor Guard providing Military Honors. Serving as pallbearers will be Mark Lung, Phillip Wilson, Ronnie Ray, Gary Tipton, Jerry Clouse, Otis Ray, and Carroll Runion. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Adult Men's Sunday School Class of Shallow Ford Baptist Church.