Mr. William Douglas Austin, better known to everyone as Doug, age 79 of the Lost Creek Community, passed away Monday, October 21, 2024 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Doug was born May 30, 1945 in Bon Air to the late Homer Gordan and Emily Juanita Powell Austin. Doug earned his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Tennessee Tech, practicing accounting privately and also for Sparta Electric and Water Department, White County Co-op, and LTD. An avid gardener and beekeeper, Doug found enjoyment by sharing his bounty with others. When he was not working on his beloved farm, he could be found fishing with his best friend, Mike Prater.

Doug was dedicated to the Lord and sharing his faith in Jesus Christ with everyone he met. That was evident in the time he spent praying for others. His faith called him to serve as an ordained Deacon at First Baptist Church in Lake Mary, Florida, a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at Wilhite Baptist Church in Cookeville, and he served as a Deacon and Sunday School Director at Bear Cove Baptist Church in Sparta for 23 years. He recently joined Hickory Valley Baptist Church and enjoyed the fellowship.

Above all else, Doug loved spending time with his family, especially at the holidays.

Doug was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. During his time in the service, he met Liz, his wife of 55 years.

Surviving family members left to cherish his memory include his wife Elizabeth Palmer Austin

Children and their spouses: Paul and Stacy Austin, Philip and Amy Austin, Amanda and Jeff Randolph

Grandchildren: Jesse Austin and wife Lauren, Alicia Simmons and husband Cody, Joshua Austin, Nathaniel Randolph, Marissa Randolph, Jennifer Austin, Daniel Austin and Hannah Austin

Great-grandchild: Owen Simmons

Siblings and their spouses: Powell and Tricia Austin, Thomas and Wanda Austin, Wanda Sue and Kennith Williams, Janice Barnett and Glenn Maddox, Richard and Laura Austin, Patricia and Scott Milliron

A host of nieces and nephews also survive

Funeral services will be conducted 10:00am Saturday, October 26, 2024 in the fellowship hall of  Hickory Valley Baptist Church. Burial with full military honors by the Veterans' Honor Guard will follow in Lost Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3-8:00pm Friday at the church. Doug Benningfield and Dave Shelley will officiate.

Cody Simmons, Daniel Austin, Jesse Austin, Joshua Austin, Nathaniel Randolph, Chris Cravens, Austin Burchett, Kyle Frazier and David Williams will serve the family as pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to Lost Creek Cemetery or Austin Cemetery, where Doug served as a trustee, in care of Hunter Funeral Home, PO BOX 90, Sparta, TN 38583.