William “Bill” Blankenship, 90, of Farragut, died peacefully Nov. 23, 2020, due to complications related to Covid. And nine weeks later, his wife of 67 years, Peggy Blankenship, 88, died after also enduring Covid complications.
Their contributions to Knoxville and Knox County are vast. Bill from LaFollette and Peggy from New Tazewell met in college at East Tennessee State University and were married in Johnson City. Bill was a U.S. Army veteran.
Both active at Belmont West Homeowners Association, the Blankenships owned and operated Peggy’s and Bill’s Boots and Shoes at several locations for 25 years. Bill owned Dixie Lee Disposal sanitation company and he later owned and operated West Knoxville Fire Department, which evolved into Rural Metro Fire. Bill was president and chief of Rural Metro until his retirement.
Peggy was a founder and first president of the Belmont West Garden Club. She later joined the Dixie Highway Garden Club. She regularly volunteered for fund-raising at Historic Ramsey House and was a docent for the Knoxville Museum of Art. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution for the state of Tennessee.
Both were active at First Baptist Church of Concord and with the church-sponsored Mission of Hope. They are survived by three children and their families. Obituary info here.