Billy "Bill" Lester Milam

Billy (Bill) Lester Milam, Jr. was born July 8, 1955, and passed peacefully on February 6, 2025 at Sacred Ground Hospice House in Knoxville, TN. He was 69. He was born and raised in the textile mill town of Kannapolis, NC, but has lived in Maryville, TN since 1987.

Bill is the son of the late Billy Lester Milam, Sr. and Hazel Hendren Milam of Kannapolis, NC. His brother, Eric Lynn Milam and sister, Beth Milam Smith also preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Rebecca Milam; his son, Brennen Milam; his daughter, Amy Moore and husband Chase; his grandson, Levi Moore and his brothers-in-law, John Murph and Mike Smith.

Bill graduated from A. L. Brown High School in Kannapolis, NC, earning a full scholarship from Cannon Mills Company to study at North Carolina State University. In a textile company town where many left school at 16 to work in the mill, Bill was honored to be one of the first in his family to finish high school and the first in his family to attend college. After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Textile Science and a Master of Science degree in Fiber and Polymer Physics, Bill returned to work at Cannon Mills in Kannapolis in a management position. Several career changes followed as he moved from the textile industry to Software Development and Information Technology. Bill was also an entrepreneur and co-founded a software development startup company in the 1990s.

Others described Bill as friendly and generous, often witty, and always ready to explore a new idea. His broad array of interests included all things mechanical, fine writing tools, flashlights, puzzles, 3D printing, kayaking, building bicycles and the latest technology. He was an avid bicycle rider who rode local greenways with friends and family. Bill also enjoyed long distance cycling tours, which included trips in Alaska, along the East Coast, and a solo ride from Florida to Colorado in 2014. One of Bill’s proudest accomplishments was a trip to Ukraine in 2012 to help build bicycle frames for local missionaries traveling to communities around Bucha.

Bill lived his life with a passionate love and dedication to his wife and children. He treasured his relationships with all his family, friends and co-workers. Above all, he sought to serve the Lord.

Our family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to the staff at Brookdale Sandy Springs Senior Living Center in Maryville, the University of Tennessee Hospice Services, and Sacred Ground Hospice House in Knoxville for their kind and compassionate care during Bill’s illness. Their gentle and respectful manner gained his trust. He continued to thank them until his last days.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Maryville Vineyard Church in Maryville, TN. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Aaron McCarter officiating. All are invited to a dessert reception following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Maryville Vineyard Church at https://vineyard.churchcenter.com/giving - or Sacred Ground Hospice House at https://sacredgroundhospicehouse.com/donate/