Willie Kermit Deel BRISTOL, Va. Willie Kermit Deel, 86, went to be with his beloved Maker on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011. Mr. Deel had lived in Bristol since 1979 and was a former resident of Buckeye Hollow in Buchanan County, Va. He was raised on the right-hand fork of Greenbrier and was the son of the late John Willie and Mary Francis Deel. Mr. Deel was a World War II veteran, having served with Patton's Third Army in Europe, where he received two Purple Hearts and other decorations. This service included the Battle of the Bulge, where his unit helped stop the southern advance of Hitler's armies. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Jo (Ramey) Deel; one daughter, Mitzi Deel McClanahan; one son, Bruce W. Deel and wife, Mary Ann (Hale) Deel, all of Bristol, Va.; four grandchildren, Caroline and her husband, Keith Tabor, Lea Ann and husband, Jonathan Wilson, Travis Tiller, and Tiffany and husband, Jonathan Salley; two great-grandchildren, Alex and Nicholas Tabor; and three sisters, Martha Imogene Yates, Flornie Deel and Bessie Pryor. In addition to his parents, Mr. Deel was preceded in death by two sons, James Theodore "Jimmy" Deel and Brian Keith Deel; one daughter, Andrea Christine "Christy" Deel; five sisters; and four brothers. The funeral service for Willie Kermit Deel will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Elder Anon Cole and Elder Jackie Church officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Memory Gardens in Abingdon. Military rites will be offered by Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and Virginia National Guard Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home of Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, from 6 to 9 p.m. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com The family of Mr. Deel is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210, 276-623-2700.