Mr. Bettis was one of the oldest, if not the oldest, WWII veterans in Loudon County 

The passing of the Greatest Generation 

Approximately every two minutes a memory of World War II – its sights and sounds, its terrors and triumphs – disappears. Yielding to the inalterable process of aging, the men and women who fought and won the great conflict are now in their 80s and 90s. They are dying quickly – at the rate of just over 600 a day, according to recent US Veterans Administration figures.

At the end of the war, the nation was the proud home to nearly 16 million veterans. Today, that number stands at just over a million. By 2036, it is estimated there will be no living veterans of World War II left to recount their experiences.

Thomas Howard Bettis, 96, of Loudon Passed away at his home Saturday, June 29, 2013. Howard was a member of Cedar Fork Baptist Church & Veteran of US Army WWII and POW. Retired employee of Y-12 Oak Ridge.

Preceded in death by Parents, Albert & Mary Brackett Bettis; Brothers, Edward & Clarence Bettis; Sisters, Pauline Buckner, Mary Brackett.

Survivors, wife of 67 Years, Dorothy Cannon Bettis; Children & Spouses, Phillip & Lisa Bettis, Rebecca & Bill Kirkland, Martha & Mike Thompson, Loudon, Stephen & Teresa Bettis, Maryville;

9 Grandchildren, Misty (Mike) Newman, Kelly (Shawn) Lambert, Kristi Ingram, Kaylyn (Keenen) Hawkins, Juli (Josh) Stockton, Jake Thompson, Hollie Tucker, Amy (Travis) Kirkland, Ashley (Jonathan) Widner ; 10 Great-Grandchildren, Luke, Jaycee & Jaida Newman, Hannah & Delaney Ingram, Isabella Lambert, Caroline & Carter Stockton, Cannon Hawkins, Lola Widner; Nieces & Nephews. Family extends special thanks to Avalon Hospice ; Caregivers, Laura, Christy, Tonya, Christina, Mendy, Miranda, Samantha & Bonnie.

Family requests memorials to the Cedar Fork Cemetery Fund. Funeral services 7 p.m. Monday Loudon Funeral Home Chapel Rev. Mark Richesin & Rev. Norm Beckler officiating. Interment 11 a.m. Tuesday Cedar Fork Cemetery With Military Honors by Loudon Co. Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation: 5--7 p.m Monday Loudon Funeral Home. www.loudonfuneralhome.net.