On this national day of remembrance, it seems fitting to recognize two who served.
John W. Sumpter, 92, of Maryville, passed away Sept. 9 at UT Medical Center. According to his obituary, he joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served in World War II in the South Pacific aboard the USS Texas as a radio operator. Upon discharge, he attended school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and received an electronics certification. He worked for 39 years at K-25 in Oak Ridge, and during his younger years he was a 20-year member of the 134th Refueling Group at McGhee Tyson Air Base. He leaves his wife, Edith Byerley Sumpter, five children and numerous friends and family.
James Braswell “Jim” Williams, 93, of Norris, died on Aug. 29 at Meadow View Senior Living, Clinton. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and married Jean Rea in 1947. They were married until her death in 2015. Dr. Williams earned a bachelor’s degree from UT, followed by a master’s and a doctorate in 1968. He began a 32-year career as an educator in Anderson County as teaching principal in a two-room school house, Belmont. Subsequently, he served as principal at Norris Elementary, Claxton, Clinton Senior High, Glen Alpine and Norris Junior High (later Norris Middle School).
He found other ways to serve, including legislative chair of the Anderson County Education Association, twice president of the Anderson County Parents Association, almost 60 years a member of St. Francis Episcopal Church, and a volunteer with the Norris Food Pantry and Lions Club. He leaves two daughters and their families as well as two sisters.
KnoxTNToday.com provides links to obituaries from 42 area funeral homes, updated daily.