WILLIAM DAVID MILSAPS

MILSAPS, WILLIAM DAVID - age 68 of Kingston and formerly Philadelphia, passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2015. David was a longtime member of First Baptist Church, Philadelphia and also enjoyed worshipping at Victory Baptist Church, Kingston. He was a graduate of Loudon High School, received a Bachelor's Degree in History from Tennessee Wesleyan College and his Master's Degree in Library Science from the University of Tennessee. Except for a 4 year stint in the US Air Force, David was employed with the State of Tennessee for over 40 years and retired as the Assistant Director of the Fort Loudon Regional Library, serving 9 counties and 27 libraries working to archive many of our state's most important documents. David enjoyed getting acquainted with people and especially loved his days on the Book Mobile, traveling into "hard to get to places" bringing the library to the people. An avid outdoorsman, David was a member of the 900 Mile Club, a distinction amongst hikers wherein every trail in the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina had been hiked, and many of those trails were hiked "solo". Along the way, he photographed much of the beautiful splendor that God's nature had to offer. David was also a talented wooden toy maker and a basket weaver, which was a life- long hobby he enjoyed with his father. David enjoyed minor and major league baseball and was a Tennessee Sports fanatic. He was preceded in death by his father, William Otis Milsaps. He is survived by his wife of nearly 15 years, Barbara (Pelfrey) Milsaps, Kingston; mother, Bettye June (Mayes) Milsaps, Philadelphia; brother and sister in-law, Sidney and Diana (Nine) Milsaps; children and spouses, Mary Ann (Roger) Gehrke, Hixson, Joyce (Matthew) Hull, Walnut Creek, CA, Christopher (Natalie) Milsaps, Tampa, FL; grandchildren, Alexander and Vivian Hull; nephews, Brad and Drew Milsaps; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Services honoring and remembering David Milsaps will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, McGill-Karnes Chapel with Rev. Brian Courtney and Rev. Danny Thomas officiating. Interment to follow in Roberson Cemetery. Contributions in memory of David may be made to the charity of your choice. The family will receive friends 12:00 Noon - 2:00 PM Saturday, January 17th prior to the service at McGill-Karnes Funeral Home, Loudon. www.mcgillkarnes.com