George Samuel (Buddy) Vance , age 89, went to be with his Lord on Jan. 16, 2016 surrounded by his family. He was born May 15, 1926 to Clyde Edward and Hattie Ruth East Vance. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Ruth Akins and brother-in-law, James P. Akins.

Buddy was a graduate of East Tennessee State College. He left high school to serve in WW II with the US Navy on the USS Mission Bay and later returned to graduate from high school a year later. He then served in the Korean War with an honorable discharge. He will be remembered for his culinary skills and his impeccable sense of humor. He was an avid golfer and charter member of the Bristol Country Club. He loved gardening and bird watching and held offices in the country Club of Bristol and the Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Hillsville VFW Post 1115 and the Bristol Elks Lodge.

He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret Lee Vance of the home; daughters & sons-in-law, Lisa & Steve Martin, Bluff City, TN, Kristy Key, Fries, VA, Kimberly & Jeremiah Waldo, Kingsport, TN; sons and daughters-in-law Charles and Gail Vance; Christopher and Teresa Vance all of Bristol, TN; grandchildren, Happy, Christopher and Thomas Vance, Hattie & James Key, Alyson & Noah Waldo; great-grandchild, Amelia Vance; sisters-in-law Mary Bond, Woodlawn, VA, Evelyn Shupe and Linda Faulkner, Fries, VA and several nieces & nephews.

The funeral service will be held, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016 at 1:30 PM in the Atkins Memorial United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 until 9 PM Tuesday Jan. 19, 2016 at the church. Officiating ministers will be the Rev. Lee Houston, and the Rev. Lee Thomas.

Military Rites will be held by the Hillsville VFW Post #1115. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Mountain Valley Hospice, 1477 Carrollton Pike, Hillsville, Virginia 24343.