Billy Joe Craig, Sr., TSgt., USAF (Retired)
February 10, 1936 – July 7, 2015

Tech Sgt. Billy Joe Craig, Sr., USAF, Retired, age 79, of Bristol, TN, passed away in the hands of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center. He was born February 10, 1936 in Bristol, TN, a son of the late Jules and Maude Leonard Craig.

Mr. Craig retired from the United States Air Force after 22 years of service as a decorated airman. During his tenure of service he obtained the following campaign medals: AFGCM w/ 4 OLC, AFM 900-3, AM w/ 8 OLC, SOG-3108, DFC SOG-3513, Vietnam Air Offensive Campaign Phase III (BSS), VSM AFM 900-3, RVCM AFM 900-3, and AFLSA AFM 900-3 w/ 4 OLC. Mr. Craig was also a member of the Green Hornets, 20th Special Operations Squadron.

He was a faithful member of Faith Baptist Church, Blountville, TN.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Ruth Cook Craig; his brothers, Bruce Craig of Alexandria, VA, Charles Craig of Lake Gunnersville, AL, John H. Craig of Bluff City, TN; his sisters, Alice Vance of Bristol, TN, Adleen Lewis of Blountville, TN, Anna Bell Epperson of Bristol, TN; and grandson, Billy Joe Craig, III of Bristol, VA.

Survivors include, daughters, Dorcas Craig Raines and husband Denver of Kingsport, TN; Weisa Craig Manis and husband Mark of Bristol, TN; sons, Billy J. Craig Jr. and wife Chris of Bristol, VA; Mark R. Craig and wife Myra of Bristol, VA, seven grandchildren, Amber Raines Almen and husband Jon; Amy Raines Renfro and husband David, Lance Craig, Robin Craig, Joseph Craig, Sgt. Matthew Settle USMC and wife Heather, and James Settle, seven great grandchildren, Jonathan, Rylee and Jaxon Almen; Craig, Clara and Blakely Renfro; and Ella Settle; brother, Mack Craig of Meridian, ID; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. Craig will be held at 6 pm Saturday, July 11, 2015 in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Eddie Zimmerman officiating. The family will receive friends from 4 pm to 6 pm prior to the service. The interment and committal service will be held 2 pm Sunday at Shipley Cemetery, Hickory Tree Rd, Bristol, TN. Military Honors will be conducted by the Bristol VFW Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Jon Almen, Jonathan Almen, Jaxon Almen, David Renfro, Craig Renfro, James Settle and Joseph Craig. Honorary pallbearers will be Sgt. Matthew Settle USMC and Lance Craig.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675 or at www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate.

The Craig family would like to extend a special “Thank you” to the staff of Yesterday’s Place at the Village at Allandale, Kingsport, TN for the excellent love and care shown to our father and family.