Roy Leon Heatherly

Heatherly, Roy L., age 90, passed away Monday morning July 13, 2015 at Tennova at Turkey Creek after a heroic battle with cancer. He was born in La Follette, TN, November 22, 1924. He was the son of James and Ruth Heatherly of La Follette. He enlisted to serve in World War Two in 1943 and fought in France and Germany as an infantryman. He served under General Patton in the 65th Division A Company, 260th Regiment. He remained in Germany for one year during post occupation. After the war he attended college and graduated from the University of Tennessee. He majored in Mechanical Engineering and began work with Union Carbide. His work in the nuclear industry with Union Carbide took him to Syracuse, NY and Milwaukee, Wisconsin before returning to Oak Ridge. He worked there for many years before moving to TVA and its nuclear program at Watts Bar, where he was a supervisor.

He loved gardening, hunting and fishing. He was still trout fishing until March of last year with his brother Arnold and his best friend Harry.

After his cancer was discovered he was given amazing care by Professional Care Management under the Nuclear Workers Program offered through the Department of Labor. His nurses and care givers were loving and professional and made his last couple of years much more comfortable at home. They became true friends to him and his son Gary and daughter Terri. His cat Misty was devoted to him as she was to his wife Polly, who passed in 2006.

In addition to his parents, James and Ruth Heatherly, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Pauline B. Heatherly, and son Joseph Roy Heatherly who passed as an infant of only a few days.He is survived by his daughter, Terri Heatherly-Dolan and son-in-law, Michael Dolan, of Dallas, Texas; son, Gary Heatherly of Knoxville, TN; sister, Trulene Nash and brother, Arnold Heatherly, both of La Follette, TN; niece, Sarah Beth Heatherly, of Knoxville, TN; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.Family will receive friends at Weaver Funeral Home, Thursday, 5 – 7 pm, service to follow. Family and friends will meet 9:45 am Friday at Sunrise Cemetery, La Follette, for 10 am burial. Memorial donations may be made to Sunrise Cemetery, c/o R.L. Gross, 183 Eastwood Drive, La Follette, TN 37766. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home, Knoxville. Condolences may be left at www.weaverfuneralservices.com