Billy Reed Gaddy

Born in Forest, November 5, 1934, he was a son of the late William “Bat” Gaddy and Elva “Toddy” Burnette Gaddy.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Keyes Gaddy; two sons, Gary Wayne Gaddy and special friend, Terri Noeske of Charleston, WVa. and Terry E. Gaddy and his wife Brooke of New London; one daughter, Brenda Horton Bryant and her husband Pat of Elon; three sisters, Janet Campbell, Betty Ashwell and husband Allen and Glenda Tucker; one brother, Donald Gaddy and wife Nancy; five grandchildren, Travis Reed Gaddy and wife Stacie, Tyler Ray Gaddy and wife Amy, Evan Bryant and wife Allison, Aubrie Gaddy and Alden Will Gaddy; one great grandson, Logan James Bryant; also Kerry and Karlie Cofer and three nieces who loved him like a father, Nancy Mitchell, Julia Duke and Linda Cabassa. He is also survived by very special friends, Robbin Wyatt-Ford and Pat Mueller.

Billy was an independent self-made man and an entrepreneur his entire life. The son of a dairy farmer, he never shirked hard work. As a teenager, he showed signs of entrepreneurship at a young age by creating his own milk delivery business. Billy enlisted and served in the US Army and was stationed in Germany. He came back with a decent German vocabulary and a love of German food. Upon returning stateside, he began his career at Lynchburg Foundry and retired after 35 years of service. Following his retirement and with much encouragement from family members he started his own steak sauce business with Mary’s help. It was a successful business for over 20 years. He also cured his own meats, a venture that evolved into a business of its own with many satisfied customers, and many long lasting friendships.

Billy had a great love of hunting, fishing and camping with his family and friends. Paddy’s Knob and the Jackson River in Bath County were his special places to get away. Always active in his community, he was a charter member of the Forest Volunteer Fire Department and later served with Lyn-Dan Heights Volunteer Fire Department. He was a proud masonic member of Mackey Lodge 69 AF & AM and a member of Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church.

A funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at Whitten Timberlake Chapel. Interment will follow in Virginia Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the Lyn-Dan Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 4406 Lynchburg, VA 24502.