William Douglas "Doug" Colston

Bristol, Va. – William Douglas “Doug” Colston, age 78, passed away on March 1, 2021 at Johnson City Medical Center. He was born April 10, 1942 in Richlands, Virginia to the late Benjamin Samuel and Eunice Jessee McCray Colston.

Doug proudly served his country in the United States Army with the 101st Airborne Division. Following his military service, Doug was self-employed in automobile sales.

Doug was of the Protestant faith and loved his country. He liked to fish, and he especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports. 

In addition to his parents, Doug was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Bob and Rose Colston; maternal grandparents, Will and Grace McCray; great-granddaughter, Olivia Nelms; and aunt, Virginia Jordan and husband Dill.  Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 60 years, Jean Alice Dickenson Colston; four daughters, Jeana Nelms (Scot), Teresa Belcher (Steve), Stephanie Davis (Chris), and Martha O’Sullivan (Rick); aunt, Marie Porter (Joe); cousins, Jean Kennedy (Paul), Randy Porter (Gina), and David Porter; five grandchildren, Jason Nelms (Kathy), Doug Nelms, Nikki Nelms (Josh), Seth Davis (Tristan), and Chandler Davis (Brooke); and five great-grandchildren, Avery, Adi, Nash, Rawlings, and Parker.

The family will receive friends Thursday, March 4, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Pleasant View United Methodist Church, 18416 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA  24210. A funeral service will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Pastor Stan Green officiating. The committal service with military honors will be held Friday, March 5, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in the mausoleum chapel at Mountain View Cemetery in Bristol, Virginia. Doug Nelms, Seth Davis, Chandler Davis, Scot Nelms, Chris Daniels, Josh Murray, Rick Carr, and Steve Belcher will serve as pallbearers. Randy and David Porter will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Covid-19 guidelines will be followed, which includes wearing of masks, social distancing, and adherence to occupancy rules.

Those unable to attend in person may join the live-streamed service by copying and pasting the following URL into the navigation bar of your web browser:https://youtu.be/6reKCDsc6YI 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Disabled American Veterans (https://secure.dav.org/site/Donation2), or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html).  

Those wishing to send “Hugs from Home” or express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family of William Douglas Colston is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, Va. 24210 (276-623-2700).