Billy Ray Brock

Billy Ray (Bill) Brock, age 85, of Halls Crossroads, passed away in the early morning hours of Thursday, June 23, 2022 following a brief battle with cancer. He was a machinist by trade and sold metal-working machinery throughout East Tennessee for the better part of 60 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lynn and Geneva Brock, sister and brother-in-law Barbara Jean (Brock) and Jack Gresham, and infant granddaughter, Andie Rayanne Makres. Billy Ray is survived by his wife of 55 years Mary Lou (Hill) Brock, daughter and son-in-law Angela (Brock) and Paul Makres, son Dustin Brock (Mark Hawkins) and son and daughter-in-law Darren and Christine (McKernan) Brock, grandchildren Stevie, Danni and Brock Makres, and Georgia, Malone and Millie Brock, sister and brother-in-law Diana (Brock) and Ray West, and his best furry friend Woody. He was a lover of good music and fast automobiles, and was no stranger to hard work. He was well known by the neighborhood kids for repairing bicycles, motorcycles, inflating balls, polishing helmets, and handing out fireworks, as well as participating in the occasional softball game. He was also famous for mowing his yard with a small trailer, so the neighborhood kids could ride along. Billy was affectionately known as “The Last Member” for unabashedly wearing his favorite Members Only jacket long after it was trendy to do so. He was an avid fan of University of Tennessee Athletics, specifically UT Football, and held fast to his belief that UT could easily prevail against Florida by installing the Single Wing Offense that Billy ran while playing halfback at Halls High School in the early 1950’s. He enjoyed NASCAR, was a big fan of Jeff Gordon, and for several years conveniently planned his family’s summer vacation to Daytona Beach in early July to coincide with the Firecracker 400 NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway. He was the oldest and longest serving member of Texas Valley Baptist Church. Billy Ray was a member of the Bright Hope Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rite bodies, and he never stepped foot in a room that wasn’t drafty. He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Monday, June 27, 2022 at Mynatt Funeral Home, Halls Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Second Harvest Food Bank, 136 Harvest Lane, Maryville, TN 37801. Online condolences may be sent to www.mynattfh.com. Arrangements under the direction of Mynatt Funeral Home, Knoxville, TN.