Michael William East

Michael William East, known to some as Jager and to others as Billy Ray Hosslefloft, left this world too soon on October 10, 2024, in Bristol, TN, at the age of 48.

He left behind so many people who loved and cared for him, including his four children, Donovan, Natashia, Blayze, and Khadian; his father, Michael; his brother, Dustin and wife Samantha; his sister, Jennifer; his grandchildren, Connor, Vincent, Killian, Ronan, and Isabella; and the kids, though they weren't his, he treated like his own, Christopher Carroll and Curtis Collins, among others. 

Michael is joined in death by his mother, Betty, and sisters, Elizabeth Greene and Angela Barrett.

He was born in Kingsport, TN, on August 21, 1976, where he resided most of his life. Michael attended Dobyns-Bennett High School in his youth and remained an Indian at heart until the end. Even after his health began deteriorating, he still tried to attend as many DB Football games as possible, even if it meant he had to go in a wheelchair. One team he loved watching even more than DB was the Tennessee Vols. Although he may not have made it to as many Vols games as he would have liked, he swore up and down that he bled orange, and anyone who knows him knows that to be true. 

For Michael, being a Vols fan was as much of his personality and who he was as a person as his desire to make himself and others laugh was. He always had to make someone laugh. Whether it was for the benefit of who he was joking with or making himself laugh, he enjoyed playing pranks, telling jokes, and saying some complete randomness, just to make the world around him a little brighter and bring a smile to someone else’s face.

Michael held several jobs in his life but was best known as the manager of Italian Village for 20+ years and worked at Eastman Chemical. He enjoyed playing in multiple Billiards leagues, racing his racecar, being a presence in the local Johnson City music scene, and playing any sport you could think of in his youth. 

He was a long-time donor to the Jericho Shriners and would do anything to help the children in need. He never believed in strangers and would leave a lasting impression on anyone he met. Those who knew Michael well now know that the world will have a little less laughter with him gone.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held from 5pm-7pm on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in the Evangel Family Worship Center, located at 1928 Bloomingdale Road, Kingsport, TN 37660.