Billy Goss

Billy “Bill” Donavon Goss, age 78, owner of the Yellow Jacket Restaurant, went home to be with the Lord Friday, November 5, 2021.

He was born June 2, 1943, to the late Brent C. Goss and the late Rosa Lee Wilson Goss.

Bill and his wife, Joyce, first met at the McCaysville Tastee Freeze in 1965, on a Saturday night. They both had come home from their jobs in Atlanta. After three and a half months of a whirlwind courtship, they married.

A year later, Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was stationed at Fort Cronkhite in San Francisco, California, as a Nike Radar operator at a site located over the Golden Gate Bridge. After serving his country for two years, Bill and Joyce returned to their former jobs in Atlanta. Bill worked at General Motors for a couple of years until he and Joyce came back to the mountains and purchased from his Aunt Sarah the Yellow Jacket Diner. The business started growing, and it became a very successful restaurant. Bill was well known for his grilled steaks!

Bill and Joyce owned and operated the Jacket for 45 years. They then decided to retire on January 31, 2015.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, infant brother and sister.

Bill is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce Cardin Goss; daughter, Kendall Lyn (T.J.) Johnson; step-grandchildren, Cohen and Aniston Johnson of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; son, Korey Donavon (Jennifer Herndon) Goss; grandchildren, Kole Donavon Goss and Klara Jean Goss; sister, Glenda (Gigi) Goss Shapiro (Stewart); brother, Rick Goss (Carol); and sister, Sandi Byrne. Nieces, nephews, “man’s best friend” his dog, Harley, many friends and the Compasses Hospice staff also survive.

According to Bill’s wishes, he will be cremated. A private family memorial service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Veterans Van Fund.