Layman Utsman, from the Bluff City pioneer NASCAR racing Utsman family, passed away Sunday at the Johnson City Medical Center at the age of 81. Layman is survived by his three children; seven grandchildren; three brothers; two sisters; and nine great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Layman was a devoted Christian man and was an active member of Boones Creek Christian Church. He loved racing and had a racing career that spanned from 1955 to 1978. He was retired from Harris Trucking but continued to work at the StockPot in Johnson City. In addition to his love of racing, he also loved to read and study his Bible and attended small groups and Sunday school class at BCCC. He is loved and will be missed. A celebration of life service will be held at Boones Creek Christian Church on Tuesday, August 5, 2014. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm with the service beginning at 8:00 pm. The committal service will be Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at 10:45 am at the VA. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Boones Creek Christian Church, 305 Christian Church Road, Johnson City, TN 37615, in his memory. Services are under the direction of Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home. Utsman competed in three Sprint Cup Series events in his career.
