Wylie Gene Austin, age 87, of Sparta, Tennessee passed away November 17, 2017, at Life Care Center of Sparta. Mr. Austin was born Jan. 23, 1930, in Sparta, to Shelah Austin and Josie Mitchell Austin. He was married, on March 9, 1950, to Nannie Lee Elrod Austin who, along with his parents, preceded him in death. Mr. Austin was a lifelong resident of the Cole’s Chapel and Fancher’s Mill communities of White County, and he attended Liberty Baptist Church. Retired from dairy farming and other businesses he owned and operated, he and his wife spent time in Florida and traveling. In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Austin was preceded in death by three brothers, Dillard Austin, Kenneth Austin, and Bill Austin. Survivors include two sons: Tommy Austin and wife Gwen of Sparta, Billy Austin and wife Kim, of Cookeville; grandson: Corey Austin and wife Haley, of Cookeville; and great-grandson: Creed Austin, of Cookeville. Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Monday, November 20, 2017, at Hunter Funeral Home, with burial in Old Zion Cemetery. The family will receive friends 5-8 p.m., Sunday, November 19, 2017 at the funeral home. Bro. Freddie Copeland will officiate.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Old Zion Cemetery Trust in care of Hunter Funeral Home, P.O. Box 90, Sparta, Tennessee 38583. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Hunter Funeral Home.