William Bull

1933 - 2016

William Bull

Knoxville, TN

William Earnest Bull, of Knoxville, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2016, just a few weeks shy of celebrating his 84th birthday. Born during the height of the depression in 1933 on a farm near Lonedell, MO, his family moved to Granite City, IL where he spent most of his childhood. He excelled in school, especially enjoying mathematics and science. Through his hard work he earned academic scholarships and was the first member of his family to graduate from college. While in school at Southern Illinois University, he met and married the love of his long life, Margaret in 1955. After graduating from the University of Illinois, Champaign with a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry, Bill joined the faculty of the Chemistry Department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. After 40 years of service, he retired as Associate Head of the Department. To mark this occasion an audio/visual classroom in Dabney Hall was named in his honor. Bill was a passionate gardener who enjoyed raising vegetables. He turned a rocky, clay-filled patch of dirt into a very bountiful garden at their west Knoxville home. He also built a greenhouse, which was used to grow orchids, poinsettias, cacti and seedlings. In his retirement years, he and Margaret moved to Clinton, TN where he continued to garden. They also traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Mideast and South America. Bill was a strong supporter of the arts and the community. He enjoyed the Knoxville Symphony and Knoxville Opera. He assisted Margaret with volunteer work at the Knoxville Museum of Art Library. In addition, He was a faithful and dutiful member of Second Presbyterian Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; his parents, Everett and Daisy Bull; and his sister, Elizabeth Caschetta. Bill is survived by his sons, Larry, Jeff and his wife Sara, and Greg; grandchildren, Michael and Christina; great-grandson Christian; and his sister Barbara.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 31, 2016, at Second Presbyterian Church with receiving of friends immediately following the service. The family will have a private burial. In lieu of flowers the family requests consideration of a donation to Second Presbyterian Church, 2829 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919 or the University of Tennessee Foundation - Chemistry Enrichment Fund at Arts and Sciences Development, 137 Alumni Memorial Building, 1408 Middle Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, (www.chem.utk.edu/giving). Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences at www.rosemortuary.com