The people of DeKalb County bid goodbye to their hometown hero PFC Billy Gene Anderson Tuesday afternoon.
The memorial service for PFC Anderson was held at the New Life United Pentecostal Church in Smithville followed by a long procession to the Dismal Cemetery near Liberty
From the church on South Congress Boulevard to West Broad Street in Smithville and at many other places along the route, people lined the roadside, gathered in front of businesses, or just sat in their vehicles to view the funeral procession as it passed by. Many waved flags and displayed signs in tribute to the fallen soldier who was killed in Afghanistan last Monday.
Bobby Thomason and Michael Hale officiated at the funeral.
Thomason, pastor of the Covenant Baptist Church where Anderson was a member, said Billy was a good young man who made good choices in life. “Billy was well loved by his family and friends. He was a young man, full of life. He was humble but always ready to help and respond to whatever it might be.”
“As a young boy, he gave his life to Jesus Christ at Bible school and I had the privilege of baptizing him. I thought he made good choices in his life. He accepted Christ. He chose to serve his country, to be a young man willing to sacrifice for the love of his country and even though he is gone from us in body he will always be with us in spirit. He was a hero in our midst.”
Hale said Billy realized there was a cost in serving his country, but he was willing to make the sacrifice. “The reason Billy was willing to go and fight was because he loved you and I. He cared enough about the freedoms that we have that he was willing to go and lay down his life that we could enjoy our freedom. Billy realized that there was a cost but he cared enough about his family. He cared enough about DeKalb County, the State of Tennessee, and the United States of America to say I’m going to defend what we have and he was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.”
Chaplain Larry McCarty from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, quoting from the scriptures, said Billy lived the passage in second Timothy, ” I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. Billy did that. The challenge for us is to do the same.”
Brigadier General Robin Akin presented PFC Anderson’s military awards to the family including the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a Bronze Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal, and Combat Action Badge.
Song selections for the funeral included recorded music by Tim McGraw “If You’re Reading This, I’m Already Home”, Toby Keith’s “An American Solider” and “Crying for Me” , among others. Thea Tippin sang a song in person as part of the memorial service.
Members of Anderson’s unit from Fort Bragg served as pallbearers during the funeral and at the cemetery. Just before burial, an American flag which had draped the casket was folded and given to Anderson’s mother Marlene Goodwin. Two other folded American flags were presented to Anderson’s wife Caitlin and eight month old daughter Lilly Grace.
In addition to the flag presentations, the military service at the cemetery featured a twenty one gun salute and concluded with taps.
Several white doves were also released during the graveside service.
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