Billy Ray Driskell - spry2
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Billy
Ray Driskell passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, May 10, 2023. Bill was born on November 15, 1929, the son of
Henry Roosevelt Driskell and Pauline Lively Driskell of Gadsden, AL. He was a talented athlete playing football
and baseball at Athens State College and Bethel University in McKenzie, TN
where he graduated and met the “love of his life” Joyce Ridley Driskell.
Bill
was a high school teacher and football coach at Darling High School (MS), J. B.
Pennington, Courtland, West Morgan, Stevenson and West Limestone High Schools
where the values and life lessons he instilled in students and players made a lifelong
impact. Respect, love and admiration are evident from former students – most
especially the J B Pennington Class of ’57.
To quote one of his students, “Any successes I’ve had in life can be
traced back to values learned from PHS and My Coach – Your Dad”. He will always
be remembered for his clever, quick-wit, and his fondness of teasing, but it
was his quiet displays of grace, wisdom, patience and love that will forever be
cherished. His faith sustained him.
Bill
is survived by his wife of 71 years and 11 months Joyce Ridley Driskell, five
children, Debra (Gary) Noblitt, Pat (Karen) Driskell, Denise Rizzo, Chris
Driskell and William (Melissa) Driskell, ten grandchildren Julie (Wade)
Paterson, Bryan Bean, Audra Willyerd, Josh Driskell, Jon (Annie) Driskell,
Christine (Alex Pate) Driskell, Tyler (Megan) Rizzo, Bryan Rizzo, McKenzie (Gunnar
Grabb) Driskell and Emily Driskell and twelve great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Betty
Mitchell, Rebecca Hilleke, Joyce Debtor and brother Rob Driskell and several
nieces and nephews. In addition to his
parents, Bill was predeceased by his sisters Shirley Driskell Slate and Paula
Driskell and son-in-law Rick Rizzo.
Visitation
will be held at Spry Funeral Home, Athens, AL on Friday, May 12 at 3:00 pm
followed by a Celebration of Life at 4:30 pm.
Pallbearers will be Josh Driskell, Christine Driskell, Tyler Rizzo,
Bryan Rizzo, Julie Paterson, Bryan Bean, Audra Willyerd, McKenzie Driskell, and
Emily Driskell.
In
lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to Hospice of Limestone
County, 405 S Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611, Bethel University, 325 Cherry
Avenue, McKenzie, TN 38201 or to your favorite charity.
Sign Guestbook Below.
2 comments
Cynthia Painter
2023-05-11 20:49:58
My thoughts are with you as you remember what a great man he was and celebrate his life.
Kenny Carr
2023-05-12 12:10:20
A Calm Quiet Presence Of A Man, whose Witness, Encouragement, & Influence Lived Very Loud For Gods Glory! Thankful God allowed Uncle Bill to cross our paths in this life. Till we see you again, “Lord Teach us to number our days that e we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
