WISE, VA.                                                       MAY 10, 2024

Billy Gene Kilgore, 76, gained his wings and was reunited with his loving wife Bonnie on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at Norton Community Hospital.

He was of the Freewill Baptist Faith, and was a U.S. Army Veteran in the Vietnam War where he earned a bronze medal and was a Purple Heart recipient. He was later honorably discharged and began his long career in the coal industry working underground and surface mining.

He also enjoyed raising animals, playing instruments, and having cookouts every weekend. Any time the family was together he was happy.

Billy enjoyed spending the summers in his garden and spending the weekends with his kids, grandkids and 3 great grandkids. The wintertime was when he rested for the next gardening season. He spent many days in the woods with his grandsons, going to horse shows with his granddaughter, and every weekend enjoying dinner with his family.

He was preceded in death by his soul mate of 48 years, Bonnie Alene Kilgore; his parents, Jonas and Louvenia Kilgore; sisters, Helen Jessee, Irene Gilliam, and Elizabeth Webb; and son-in-law, David Burke.

He is survived by his daughters, Peggy Cress and fiancé Joe Smith, Patricia Mullins and husband Dale, and Amanda Kilgore; grandchildren, Levi Cress and wife Sidney, Lakken Salyers, Dalton "Moose" Cress and wife Andrea, Christopher "Bubba" Burke, and Sarah Burke; very special lights of his life, Liam Cress, Colt Cress and Tyson Cress; brother, Ecker Kilgore; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was loved by all and will forever be missed. He was our Hero.

Funeral services for Billy Kilgore will be conducted at 7:00 P.M. Saturday, May 11, 2024 at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, VA with Rev. Billy Hibbitts officiating. Family will receive friends from 5:30 P.M. till time of services at 7:00 P.M. Saturday at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise, VA. Military Rites will be conducted at 1:30 P.M. Sunday, May 12, 2024 at the funeral home. Graveside committal services and burial will follow at the Baker Cemetery in Pound, VA. Please visit www.sturgillfuneral.com to leave online condolences for the family.

Sturgill Funeral Home 1621 Norton Road SW Wise, VA 24293 is in charge of arrangements.