Curtiss Belton Bible, age 72, of Strawberry Plains, TN, died Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at St. Mary's Hospital in Knoxville.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Burl and Fannie Cate Bible, of Bybee, TN.

A Cocke County native, he lived most of his life in McMinn and Polk Counties.

He served in the United States Air Force and then served seventeen years in the Tennessee Air National Guard.

While working at Beaunit Corporation in Etowah, he also worked hard to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a pilot. After earning his private pilot's license, he went on to receive his flight instructor's certificate and instructed many residents in the McMinn County and Bradley County area.

He retired from L & N Seaboard Coastline Railroad. After his retirement he worked part-time at Athens Air LLC driving faithfully every other weekend from Strawberry Plains.

He truly enjoyed his friends that would come and visit during his weekends while working at the airport.

He is survived by his wife Judith Bible of Strawberry Plains, TN; two sons and daughters-in-law Steve and Lauren Bible of White Pine, TN and Mike and Cindy Bible of Benton, TN; four grandchildren Lacy Fetzer and Jaelyn and Halle Bible, of Benton, TN and Andrew Bible of White Pine; one stepson and one stepdaughter Thad Quimby of Denver, CO and Becca Quimby of San Francisco, CA; two brothers and sisters-in-law Robert and Francis Bible and Randall and Karen Bible, all of Bybee, TN;  and three sisters and two brothers-in-law Mary Lynn Garner of Knoxville; Charlotte and Frank Cooper and Jiggs and Joe France, all of Newport. He had many special nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

There will be no formal service due to his wish. All family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service for Curtiss at the McMinn County Airport on Saturday, March 20, 2010, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Curtiss Bible Aviation Fund, P. O. Box 1, Etowah, TN 37331.