William Countiss

William Countiss

Knoxville, TN

William French Countiss, age 49, of Knoxville, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday morning, September 22, 2015. Bill was a devoted husband, an exceptional dad, a loving son and a treasured friend. Faith and Family were the most important parts of Bill's life, and his "family" included many, many people who lived beyond the walls of his home. Bill was loved by all who knew him. He was always positive and inspirational. He was patient and kind. In all relationships, Bill connected with people more deeply than words can express. Bill loved all childre. He was anxiously awaiting the birth of his first grandson, William Franklin Smith, IV. Bill was a member of First Baptist Concord. He graduated from The University of Tennessee, where he was a member and president of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. Bill was a perfectionist in all that he did, and had an amazing propensity for business and logistics. For the last 20 years he worked in the sign and surveying industry. Bill was Vice President of Operations for Coast to Coast Surveys in Chattanooga. Bill was born and raised in Wise County, Virginia. When he came to the University of Tennessee as a student, he fell in love with the Big Orange and never even considered leaving Rocky Top. Bill loved everything about Tennessee Football, especially tailgating. In 1993, Bill married the love of his life, Tammy, and for 22 years they lived happily ever after as best friends. Together they cherished and nurtured their own two children, Chelsea and Seth, and the many others who came to their home as friends and quickly became family. Andrew Harrison was like a second son to Bill.

Bill was preceded in death by loving grandparents, Mildred "Mam" and Bill "Gran" O'Dell, and Dolly "Granny" Countiss; and his father, Thomas Countiss. Bill is survived by his adoring family: wife, Tammy; daughter and son-in-law, Chelsea and Dr. Will Smith, of Knoxville; son and daughter-in-law, Seth and Whitney Colyer, of Wise, Virginia; mother and step-father, Chantale and Greg Whittaker; step-brothers, Jon Whittaker and David Whittaker; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles and Anna Hampton; brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Lynda Hampton; niece, Courteney Hampton; nephews, Charlie Hampton, Reid Luffler, Spencer Christen, Jude Luffler, Lincoln Luffler, and Landon Whittaker; special aunts, Sherry Blalock and Nancy Smith; special cousins, who were more like siblings, Ashli Christen, Ali Luffler, Melanie Jeffrey and Brian Jeffrey.

The memorial service will be held at the Lauricella Center inside Neyland Stadium on Sunday, September 27 at 3:00 PM with Brother Doug Sager officiating. A reception to celebrate Bill's life will follow the service. The family requests that memorials be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 1705 W. Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916; his beloved nephew's 2016 mission trip to Guatemala, Chilhowie Baptist Church, c/o Charlie Hampton, PO Box 838, Chilhowie, VA 24319 or the Vol Fund. Arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home, Seymour 122 Peacock Court, Seymour, TN 37865 (577-2807). Online condolences may be made at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com.