William Thomas Heath, Jr., 64, of Bristol Virginia, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2022, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

He leaves behind his children, Tara Victoria Heath Smith and husband Michael, William Thomas Heath III and wife Ashley; grandsons, Jacob Michael Smith, and Nathaniel Thomas Smith; father, William Thomas Heath Sr.; sister, Cheri Heath Fullen and husband Brian; niece, Alexandria Cheri 'Lexie' Fullen; and the love of his life, Julie Riffey.

He was preceded in death by his Mother, Lorraine Call Heath.

Born in Saltville, Virginia in 1957, he graduated from R.B. Worthy High School in 1975.  He graduated from Virginia Intermont College with a degree in Biology. He also furthered his education at Memphis State University and the University of Georgia in the field of Biochemistry. His career was wide-ranging; he worked as a Research Chemist for Iodent, in Elizabethton TN, as a Cosmetic Chemist for the Maybelline Division of Schering-Plough in Memphis TN, in Technical Sales for Wen-Don Corporation in Roanoke VA, as the Technical Director/Consultant for Golden West Industries in Salt Lake City and for International Dust Control in Vancouver British Columbia, as the Pilot Plant Director/Chemist for Rhone-Poulenc in Winder Georgia and the University of Georgia in Athens Georgia, as a GED Instructor for the Mount Rogers Regional Adult Education Program, and lastly as a Biology teacher for Bristol Virginia Public Schools.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Good Samaritan Hospice of Salem Virginia, especially Clara.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society and the Cleveland Clinic.