Flag Pond, Tennessee

On Monday, February 26, 2024, at his home in Flag Pond, TN, Rev. Billy Joe Ponder, 82, graduated from this life into the arms of his Savior whom he had faithfully served for over 58 years. With his wife and his children by his side, Bro. Bill inherited the promise of 2 Corinthians 5:8 that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

He proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1959 – 1961 and was stationed in Guantanamo Bay Cuba. He came home from the Navy in the spring of 1961 and married Mrs. Brenda in August of that year. Craig, Christy, and Curtis were soon added to the family.

Bro. Bill faithfully served the Lord from the day he surrendered to preach in the spring of 1965. He pastored 9 churches in western North Carolina and East Tennessee. He was both proud of and grateful for his many years of ministry on the Appalachian Trail, other various ministries with the Holston Baptist Association and his international mission work in Venezuela.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Rellie Ponder; brothers Houston, John, and Roger; grandsons, Joshua Judkins, Anthony Owens, and great-grandson, Richard Owens.

He is survived by his wife Brenda; son Craig and wife Tammy of Limestone, TN; daughter, Christy and husband Randy of Flag Pond, TN; son, Curtis and wife Kim of Ronda, NC; 11 grandkids, and 11 great-grandkids.

A time of visitation will be held on Friday, March 1st from 5-7 pm at the Blue Ridge Funeral and Cremation Service in Mars Hill, NC. A Homegoing Celebration will be held on Saturday at 1:00 pm at Upper Laurel Baptist Church (9940 US-23 ALT Mars Hill, NC 28754). Bro. Bill will lay in state from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at the church. Pastor Junior Hensley, Pastor Craig Ponder and Pastor Curtis Ponder will be officiating.

They will then travel in procession to the West Memorial Park Cemetery (40 Roberts Street, Weaverville, NC 28787.) Pastor Nelson Ponder and Bro. Luke Ponder will be officiating.

The family would like to offer their sincere heart-felt appreciation to the staff and therapists from Amedysis Home Health for all their care and attention.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridge-funeral-service.com.