Col. William Edward Dunivant

After a year-long battle with Mesothelioma, Col. William Edward "Eddie" Dunivant (USAF), 84, passed away at his home March 2nd, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Born January 27th, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee, Ed attended and graduated from Treadwell High School and then Memphis State University, where he double-majored in History and Political Science. Later, he achieved his M.A. in Political Science from the University of Arkansas.
In 1961, Ed married Norma Slover, whom he'd met (at age 13) and gotten to know through both school and their church, Highland Heights Baptist. They were married over 64 years before Ed's passing.
Ed, a 24-year veteran of the Air Force, served mostly as a fighter pilot. He served a tour in Viet Nam, flying 255 combat missions in the F-100. Those flights garnered him the Distinguished Flying Cross and 14 other air medals. He spent time as a pilot instructor in Texas, flying T-38's. He also had a tour in Saudi Arabia as an F-5 instructor with the Royal Saudi Air Force. As a side note, he spent time at the USAF Academy in Colorado as a commander of the 39th squadron and as a visiting teaching instructor.
Ed's main plane was the F-111 Aardvark. Stationed in England for 12 years (RAF Upper Heyford, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Lakenheath), his accolades include helping to plan and execute the 1986 raid on Libya, commanding the 495th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Lakenheath for 2 years, and serving as Lakenheath's Base Commander for 2 years prior to his retiring.
In addition to his above-mentioned medals, Ed also received the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Meritorious Unit Citation, and various other recognitions/medals.
After retiring from the military, Ed flew commercially for TWA (2 years) and then UPS (14 years), retiring a second time to then fully enjoy his interests. He had many: traveling, cooking, golf, gardening, family, bridge games (and Hand-in-Foot games), hunting (including supplying food for his family and for Hunters for the Hungry charity), stained glass, skeet shooting (28 Gauge state skeet champion of Kentucky), woodworking, writing... to name a few. Of course, he loved to talk, had a great sense of humor, and never met a stranger!
Most importantly, Ed chose to give his life to Jesus Christ at age 7. After "wandering in the wilderness" for 40 years, he re-dedicated his life back to his Lord in 2011 and strove to follow Him as much as possible through church attendance, charitable giving, and Bible studies. At the time of his passing, Ed and Norma were members of First Baptist Concord in Knoxville, Tennessee (prior to that Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky).
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Paul William and Annie Francis Wilder Dunivant. He is survived by his loving wife, Norma S. Dunivant; daughters Kim Dunivant and Laurie Dunivant; sister Paula Ditto (Jim); numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Ed's Visitation/Celebration of Life will be held April 18th in the Community Room at the Villages of Farragut, Knoxville, Tennessee, beginning at 12:30PM (230 Village Commons Blvd.), followed by the graveside service with full military honors at the Oak Ridge Memorial Cemetery at 3:30PM in the Garden of Valor (1501 Bethel Valley Rd).
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the Wounded Warrior Project (Ed's favorite charity) at www.woundedwarriorproject.org
2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Matthew 25: 21(A): "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
Arrangements by Cremation Options, Inc. (865)6WE-CARE (693-2273) www.cremationoptionsinc.com.