Willis "Buck" Starnes Jr.

Willis “Buck” Starnes, Jr., of Kingsport, passed away, at his residence following a short illness.He was born in Kingsport, was a former resident of Germany, Hinesville, GA and had lived in Kingsport since 1990.Buck graduated from Lynn View High School in 1967 and attended ETSU.He served in the U. S. Army as a Staff Sergeant during the Vietnam War where he was awarded two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars for Valor. Buck was a member of the Vietnam Veterans #979.He enjoyed working on cars, go carts, motorcycles, riding motorcycles, fishing and was a former member of the Bass Association.He was preceded in death by his parents, Willis “Pete” and Betty Clonce Starnes, Sr. Surviving are his loving wife of 17 years, Mary Frances McCrary Starnes; daughters, Joni Starnes Haynes and Brandy Owen and husband, Greg; stepson, Ryan McCrary, grandchildren, Corbin Haynes, Kristen Kirk and husband, Nathan, Brandon Wise and Hannah Owen; great grandchildren, Jackson, Marryn Mae and Callahan; adopted brothers, adopted brother, Anthony Starnes and cousins, Ralph Jones and wife, Faye and Thomas “Zach” Ewing and wife, Penny.A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Saturday, September 5, 2020, at Oak Hill Funeral and Cremation Services under the protocol.Military Rites will be conducted at 4:15 pm by the American Legion Post #3 & Post #265.A Celebration of Life Service will follow with Rev. Misty McCreary officiating.The family request NO FLOWERS and memorial contributions be made to the Disabled American Veterans, 110 9th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 or online at www.dav.orgThe family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff of Avalon Hospice, Visiting Angels, especially Brenda and April, his motorcycle buddies and his Army buddies.The care of Willis “Buck” Starnes and his family has been entrusted to the staff of Oak Hill Funeral and Cremation Services.Read Obituary