Billy Gordon Ely

Billy Gordon Ely, 76, of Niceville, passed away at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at Superior Residence of Niceville.  Mr. Ely was born August 28, 1942, in Westbourne, Tennessee to Lee and Mary (Randolph) Ely.  He attended East High School in Knoxville, Tennessee.  After high school, he joined the United States Air Force on June 24, 1961.  As a proud Veteran of Vietnam War, he retired after 22 years of service. 

He enjoyed wood working, especially making pens and wine stoppers.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Ely (married for 56 years); sister, Pat Anderson; sister Linda Smith; son & daughter-in-law, Christopher and Carrie Ely; daughter & son-in-law, Laurie and David Knight; daughter & son-in-law, Alicia and Brian Deveault.  Billy loved spending time with his grandchildren; Kyle Ely, Lainee Ely, Makenzee Ely, Tara (Husband, Justin) Boulton, Carrie Lockett Mathews, Aidan & Michelle Deveault.  He was blessed with four great grandchildren; Kenna Lord, Mason Mathews, Lillyan Mathews & Allyson Mathews; a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by parents Lee Ely & Mary Ethel Ely, brother-in-law Hugh Anderson and grandson-in-law J.D. Lord.

A memorial service with Military Honors will be held at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home at 2201 Partin Drive, Niceville, FL, on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at 3:00 p.m., with a visitation one hour prior.  A reception will take place at Niceville Community Center immediately after the memorial service.

The family of Billy Ely wishes to extend our sincere thanks to all the nurses and staff at Superior Residence in Niceville, Hospice nurses and case workers.

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