Billy Dee Frost

Billy Dee Frost, 85, passed away at his home on the farm he built in Springfield, Tennessee Saturday, February 27, 2016. Visitation for family and friends will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 3, followed by a memorial service at 4 p.m. at Springfield Baptist Church, 400 N. Main Street, Springfield, TN 37172. Bill will be laid to final rest at Rosebank Cemetery in Bedford County, near Flat Creek, Tennessee. Bill was born November 16, 1930 in Flat Creek, Tennessee to Manerva Angeline and Ollie Lee Frost. He was the youngest of seven children and married to Emily Elizabeth Frost. He was preceded in death by his wife, Emily, and his siblings Wright Wilson Frost, Eleanor Rachel Salmon, Elizabeth Lee Best, Carl Holt Frost, and Horace Ebenezer Frost. His sister, Olivene “Jackie” Osmundson, survives him. Known for his patriotism, gregarious personality, and boisterous laugh, Bill cherished conversation and socializing with family and friends. He served in the United States Army for over 35 years and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1977 he earned The Army Commendation Medal, awarded for the highest level of proficiency and organizational expertise. A devout Christian, he served his local community as chairman of the deacons at Springfield Baptist Church for several years. Beyond his military career and among multiple professional leadership positions, Bill was the Chief Executive Director of the Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service of Robertson County Tennessee for over 20 years. Married for 63 years, he was a loving, dedicated husband and father. He and his wife, Emily, raised two children, Laurie and Julie, and also successfully owned and operated two cattle farms in middle Tennessee. A true Tennessee Volunteer, class of 1953, Bill was a dyed-in-the-wool University of Tennessee football fan. He also enjoyed singing and golfing. He derived his greatest joy, however, in the hard work and simple pleasures of spending time on the farm--tending to cattle, gardening, or treating his grandchildren to hayrides. Bill's surviving family members are numerous, but mainly include his two children: Laurie Frost Oettel (husband, Fred Oettel) and Julie Frost Jager (husband, Jason Jager). He was a grandfather to five: Jason Oettel, Brandon Oettel, Abigail Oettel, Jacob Jager, and Jude Jager. Memorial donations may be made to: The Alzheimer's Association at alz.org or American Cancer Society at cancer.org. Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of these arrangements. AUSTIN & BELL FUNERAL HOME- 509 WALNUT STREET, SPRINGFIELD, TN (615) 384-1000

Billy Dee Frost

November 16, 1930 - February 27, 2016