Troy Franklin Burton

Troy Burton, a lifelong resident of McMinn County, passed away on Monday, June 18, at his home in Riceville surrounded by loving family members.  Troy was a talented musician, singer/songwriter, who traveled with family and friends throughout East Tennessee and surrounding states sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He sang from his heart and will be remembered for his warm smile and heartfelt testimony.

Being a devoted Christian and lifelong member of Clay Hill Baptist Church in Riceville, he served the congregation in many capacities including chairman of the deacon board, Sunday School teacher/superintendent, choir director, janitor, and oftentimes pianist.  His love for God and his church was extraordinary. 

Troy was a graduate of McMinn County High School in 1969 and attended the Athens Area Vocational School studying auto mechanics.  During his career, he worked for the local Ford and Chevrolet dealerships in Athens prior to his employment with United Parcel Service in 1973.  As a UPS package car driver for 30 years, he had an opportunity to serve the communities of Decatur/Meigs County, Riceville, Loudon, and Cleveland/Bradley County.   He loved meeting people and sharing a smile to brighten someone's day. After retirement, he spent many hours in his home studio writing gospel music, recording and making CDs for local groups including his own group.   His love for music began at an early age.  His father Claude taught him to play the rhythm guitar by the age of 10.  He then taught himself to play the piano/keyboard, electric guitar, steel guitar, and bass guitar.  Several years ago, he produced and engineered two instrumental CDs of favorite gospel hymns entitled "Gospel Guitar Volume I" and "Gospel Guitar Volume II."  

Troy was preceded in death by:

• His grandparents James and Eller Burton, Hemard and Ollie Morgan,
• His father Claude Burton,
• Sister-in-law Joyce Burton. 

Survivors include:

• His wife of almost 48 years Kaye Williams Burton;
• Two daughters and sons-in-law Angie & Jason Burke of Decatur and Kelly& Joseph Reed of Riceville;
• Six grandchildren, Hailey, Hunter, and Mikala Burke of Decatur, and Jaxon, Eli, and Wesley Reed of Riceville;
• His mother Lorene Burton of Englewood  
• Brother Roy Gene Burton of Englewood 
• Brother-in-law Mike Williams and wife Kay,
• Along with many other nieces and nephews of the Englewood area.

Funeral services will be 7:00 PM, Thursday, June 21, 2018 in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Rev. Paul White and Minister Mike Williams officiating. 

Graveside services will be 11:00 AM, Friday, June 22, 2018 at McMinn Memory Gardens with Rev. Craig Wilcox and Rev. Joseph Reed officiating. 

Active Pallbearers will be Jason Burke, Hunter Burke, Joseph Reed, Jaxon Reed, Eli Reed, and Braden Stewart.   

The family will receive friends from 4-7 PM Thursday, prior to the service at the funeral home. 

Those unable to attend may send condolences to www.laycock-hobbs.com/notices/Troy-Burton 

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home in Athens is in charge of the arrangements.