Bill Greene – age 91 of Corryton, Tennessee went Home to his Lord and Savior on Monday, September 5, 2022, passing peacefully at his home. We struggle to capture in a few words the echo of such a life. Bill was born October 24, 1930 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the son of Samuel Greene and Dora Strevel Greene. Raised by his maternal aunt, Myrtle Strevel and grandfather Pete Strevel, in Luttrell, Tennessee, Bill overcame tremendous adversity in his life. He became a much loved and respected husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, servant in his church, business professional, community leader, and mentor to many. Deprived of the opportunity to complete grammar school, he completed his GED while in his sixties – as well as numerous business and professional certifications along the way. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1947, and served in the U. S. Navy Construction Battalion (better known as the Navy Seabees) as a pipe fitter and boilermaker. During the early years of the Korean War, he saw service across the Arctic and the South Pacific, while gaining some measure of celebrity as the leader of various country music bands on the bases where he was stationed. Returning to Luttrell after his honorable discharge in 1951, he met, wooed, and married Melba Kitts – the love of his life – in 1953. During the next several years he worked as a day laborer, furniture builder, plumber, and a route salesman for French Broad Dairy. Bill eventually secured his insurance license and joined the Home Beneficial Life Insurance Company (now AIG) in 1963. He retired from Home Beneficial in 2000, having served during his 37 years there as route agent, staff manager, and having refused numerous promotions that would have uprooted his family from East Tennessee. During this entire 37-year period, he also served the Luttrell, Blaine, and Corryton communities in numerous capacities. As a leader in the Luttrell Ruritan Club, Bill played an instrumental role in the conception and completion of numerous infrastructure and civic projects. He coached Little League Baseball and served as a Boy Scout Leader. His most notable contribution was his four decades of service in the Luttrell-Blaine-Corryton (LBC) Utility District. From the birth of LBC, Bill played a series of essential and varied roles in the creation, construction, and operation of the utility that today provides municipal water for some 3800 homes in Union, Grainger, and Knox Counties. As one of three Commissioners, he signed revenue bonds to secure early funding of LBC. Bill negotiated hundreds of easements for water lines. He wrote successful funding grants. He went house-to-house to signup customers. He issued and oversaw construction contracts for the utility’s water lines, and its pumping, water treatment and storage facilities. During this period, he arose countless times in the middle of the night to answer callers who inevitably would say, “Bill, we’re out of water!” – the result being another sleepless night as he chased water line leaks. He did all of this as an uncompensated and ad hoc General Manager who also worked a full-time job at Home Beneficial to provide for his family. His sons learned the meaning of integrity, and the importance of self-sacrifice, perseverance, and community service from the example set by their dad. Finally, assuming the paid position of General Manager of LBC in the mid-1980’s Bill oversaw the operation of the district until his retirement, becoming the district’s first state-certified operator. Bill was ordained as a Deacon at Cedar Ford Baptist Church in Luttrell in 1987. He served for several years in that capacity. In recent years, Bill enjoyed whittling, gardening, flea marketing, and watching Family Feud on TV. He especially enjoyed the company of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who adored him and learned much about life, whit, and wisdom from simply being in his presence. A quiet man, he loved deeply and was deeply loved. Predeceased by his parents, his Aunt Myrtle, sisters Bernice Lance and Darlene (Dot) Lay Robertson, grandson Josh Greene, nephew Donald Camp, and several aunts and uncles.

Survived by his wife of 69 years, Melba; sons Sherrell (Rebecca) Greene, Ted Greene, and Wynn (Traci) Greene; grandchildren Rachel Greene, Jake (Chelsea) Greene, Adam Greene, Taylor Greene (Ricky) Howell, Tucker Greene, and Braylon Greene; great-grandchildren Blakely and Hudson Greene, and Cason and Cale Howell; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 PM on Monday, September 12 at Cedar Ford Baptist Church in Luttrell, Tennessee. Funeral, officiated by Rev. Jeff Leach will immediately follow. Family and friends will meet at Cooke-Campbell Mortuary in Maynardville at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, September 13 for procession to Sharp Cemetery (located on Corryton-Luttrell Road). The graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:00 AM and officiated by Pastor Eddie Muncey and the Tri-County Veterans Honor Guard. Pallbearers: Jake Greene, Adam Greene, Tucker Greene, Ricky Howell, Brian Owen, Kevin Davis, Mark DeVault, Brian Keaton. Honorary Pallbearers: Ronnie Beeler, LeRoy Strevel, Jeff Collins, Keith DeVault, Rocky Golden, Elmer Muncey. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cedar Ford Baptist Church, 3203 TN-61, Luttrell, TN 37779; or to Sharp Cemetery, P. O. Box 223, Luttrell, TN, 37779. Funeral arrangements will be handled by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary in Maynardville.