Gurney Ray Pilk, 73, Butler, passed away peacefully at his home,Saturday, April 4, 2026 after a long courageous battle with cancer. Born June 2, 1952 to Eula Pilk Morrell. He was a kind and gentle sole never meeting a stranger, always going the extra mile to help people. He was one that could meet you and talk to you for hours as if he'd known you his whole life. He was a self made man working his whole life to have things and appreciated what he was able to accomplish and occasionally brag but well deserved. He loved to fish and could tell you some good fish tales. He also loved guns and it made him happy to be able to show his collection to others. But what made him smile was his love for his family

He raised two kids: Rebecca (Jeremy) and Brandon (Brandy) and had six grandchildren: Zach (Sue), Autumn (Jake), Chloe (Chad), Chelsea, Jeremiah and Dodger, but the sparkle of his eye was his great grandchildren Everliegh who he called his world and loud mouth and Eira that he couldn't wait to meet after she was born seeing them was the highlight of his day.

He served in the USA Navy and went to Vietnam years later. While serving in the Army National Guard he went to the Gulf War in Iraq. He was proud to serve and grateful to be a Veteran.

He was preceded in death by his mother Eula Morrell mother of his children, Patricia Fannon, special mother and father-in-law: Doodle and Carolyn White, his special fishing buddy Jeff "Frosty" Sutherland. Those friends also left to cherish him, Harold Hatley, Richard Davenport, Eugene Bowers, and Brenda Reece.

Funeral Service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Memorial Funeral Chapel with Pastor Ronnie Campbell officiating. Graveside Service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in Lakeview Cemetery. Active Pallbearers who are requested to assemble at the cemetery at 10:50 a.m. Thursday will be: Brandon Pilk, Jacob Cooper, Brandy Nave, Zach Ford, Jeremiah McCracken and Dodger Sluder. Honorary Pallbearers: Jerry Cable, Justin Cable and Barbara Edney.  Military Honors will be provided.  The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday prior to the service. Condolences may be sent to the family at our web-site www.memorialfcelizabethton.com. Family and friends will assemble at the cemetery at 10:50 a.m. Thursday.

Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Pilk family