Billy Shope, Jr.

SHOPE, BILLY, JR. - age 77 of Las Vegas, Nevada, formerly of Sweetwater, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2008. He was born November 14, 1930, in Sweetwater and lived there until serving in the United States Air Force. He then became a lifelong resident of Las Vegas where he was a successful businessman. He had been retired several years. He was preceded in death by a son, John David Shope, parents, William Theodore and Maude Williams Shope and a brother, Bobby Vinson Shope. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy J. Shope; sons, Kenneth Alan Shope of North Hollywood and Jerry L. Cline of Las Vegas; daughter, Dena J. Cochran and husband, Brian of Henderson; four grandchildren, Rebecca Shope, Caleb Cline, Jordan Cochran and Hayden Cochran. Surviving brothers are: Keith Shope, Sr. and Dennis Shope, Sr. of Sweetwater; sisters, Barbara Heuer, Joyce Newman and Jenness Workman all of Sweetwater, Charlotte Stephens of Kingston, Gail Huffstetler of Dahlonega, GA and Betty Mayfield of Knoxville; there is a host of nieces, nephews and cousins whom he adored and loved. Bill had many special friends in Sweetwater and East TN. Until his health began to fail recently, he visited here quite often where he loved to spend time with family and friends, reminisce of old times and support local sports teams. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather "papa" and brother and he will be forever missed by his family, relatives and many friends. The family will receive friends Saturday, March 15 12-1 p.m. Funeral service will be immediately afterwards in the chapel at Kyker Funeral Home. Reverend Julian Walton will officiate. Interment will be following the service at Sweetwater Valley Memorial Park. Serving as pallbearers are his nephews, Brian Shope, Keith Shope, Jr., Dennis Shope, Jr., Kent Stephens, Scott Huffstetler, Mark Huffstetler, and Steven Huffstetler. It was under Billy Shope's leadership and endowment that the Shope Scholarship Fund was established through the Sweetwater Educational Foundation. This fund benefits graduating seniors of Sweetwater High School. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Sweetwater Education Foundation, P.O. Box 231, Sweetwater, TN 37874. Kyker Funeral Home, Sweetwater in charge of arrangements. www.kykerfuneralhome.com