Graveside services will be held today (2/1/23) for Mike W. Williams of New Market, who died in a January 17 car wreck on Magnolia Avenue. He was 65. The service will be at Swann’s Chapel Cemetery with the Rev. Lewis Thomas officiating. Mr. Williams’ obituary is here.
The Farrar Funeral Home provided this photo of Mr. Williams and friends
Two drivers of separate cars that hit Mr. Williams’ SUV were charged with drag racing and felony reckless endangerment, according to the Knoxville Police Department. Both allegedly ran the red light at Milligan Street before colliding with Mr. Williams.
Williams’ two younger grandchildren, Gage and Hadley, were injured and remain at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. The impact pushed one of the cars into the Safe Haven house on Magnolia. No one was injured, but a mom and five kids lost their home as the wreck rendered the house uninhabitable, according to news reports.
Mr. Williams was retired from the UT Steam Plant in Knoxville. He enjoyed fishing and his grandchildren. A friend, Roy Warwick, said “Mike was one of the smartest guys I knew and a great co-worker. I know how much he loved his family as he talked about them a lot.”
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Nikki and Matt Tucker. Two other grandchildren are Allie and Kaydence Tucker.
Rebecca Arnwine has created a Go Fund Me account for the family’s unanticipated expenses. Nikki is off work to stay with her children, Arnwine said. As of Feb. 1, 237 donations had generated $21,395. Donations range from $50 to $5,000. Many are anonymous.