More detail on this person: William E. Finney, Jr., age 65, of Bluff City went to be with the
Lord Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at the Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born in Mullens, WV, a
son William E. Finney and Myrtle Ida Whitlow Finney. He was preceded in death by his father and
daughter Jessica Brooke Finney.
Mr. Finney was a member of Bluff City United Methodist Church and a member of the Vietnam
Helicopter Pilot Association. He was a veteran of the US Army during the Vietnam War. He loved
spending time with his family, flying, riding motorcycles and had a passion for cooking and good
food. He was a professional pilot for over 40yrs. He received his pilot training serving as a
Warrant Officer in the U.S. army during the Vietnam War from 1970-1971. He received many medals
and decorations including The Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
Survivors include his wife, Judy Hodge Finney, his mother Myrtle Ida Finney; his son, William "Bret"
Finney and wife Wendy of Bluff City; two daughters, Priscilla Finney Vernon and husband, David of
Sydney, Australia and Jacquie L. Gaefke of Sulfolk, VA; four grandchildren, Zoey, Hayden, Lyla and
Nevaeh; sister, Beth Smith of Keego Harbor, Michigan; brother, J. G. Finney and wife Theresa of
Mullens, WV. two step children Misti and Robert Cody Haney, and also several nieces and nephews.
He was a special man who was very much loved by his family, many friends and "brothers".
A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Finney will be held at 7:30 pm Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at Bluff
City United Methodist Church with Rev. Dan Gray. The family will receive friends from 3:30 - 7:30 pm
Tuesday prior to the service in the church.
In lieu of flowers please make donation to Bluff City United Methodist Church, P.0. Box 190, Bluff
City, TN 37618 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis, TN
38101-9908.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the
guestbook. Tetrick Funeral Home - Bluff City Chapel is serving the Finney family. Office phone:
423-538-7131 - Obituary line: 423-538-7131
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of William E. Finney, Jr. please visit our Sympathy
Store.
This information was last updated 03/21/2014
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association