William E. "Bill" Edmondson

1930 - 2025

William "Bill" E. Edmondson

Born: July 23, 1930 | Died: December 3, 2025

William "Bill" E. Edmondson

Bill completed his earthly venture at 4 PM, 3 Dec 2025 at Fort Loudoun Medical Center in Lenoir City TN. He was born on 23 July 1930 at St. Mary's Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. Bill was raised in Powell, Tennessee attending to his education at the school about 100 yards up the street. Powell Station, as it was known then, was a village of some 400. In September of 1948 he married Fannette A. Dyke and they moved to the Detroit, MI area where he would live until 1958 training as a tool and die maker. His two sons Kenneth and Baxter were born in Michigan.

The family returned to Tennessee where they moved to Sweetwater in June of 1964 when he was 34. He became the chief engineer at Vestal Mfg. Company and essentially built their foundry operation in the 1960's.

Bill's involvement centered around the Methodist Church, Boy Scouts, and Kiwanis Club. With the Scouts he was at one time the oldest scoutmaster in the State. With the Kiwanis he was a Lieutenant Governor and member for some 60 years at the Sweetwater chapter. At the First United Methodist Church he kept a close eye on the physical plant and was in attendance virtually every Sunday.

After his retirement in 1991 Bill and his second wife, Joyce G. Hickey Edmondson traveled extensively. He bicycled and hiked with a purpose which was a major factor in his longevity, with the Doctor at Fort Loudoun stated that he was the strongest 95 year old he had ever seen.

His mind remained sharp until the end, and he was only truly ill the last month of his life. Ninety-five years well lived accompanied by a peaceful passing into eternity.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William E. Edmondson, Sr, and Lucille A Child Edmondson, sister Sarah M. Edmondson, wives Fannette A. Dyke, Joyce G. Hickey, and Norma Mayes. He is survived by son Kenneth L. Edmondson, step-grandchildren, although the only grandfather they knew, Adam Hickey (Angela), Corey Hickey, Drew and Avery Allman and three great-grandchildren.

The family will gather at 4:30 P.M. on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at First Methodist Church of Sweetwater for a 5:00 P.M. Celebration of life service with Rev. Riley Huffstetler officiating. A private interment will be conducted at a later date in the Anderson Gouffon Cemetery in Knoxville, TN. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Methodist Church of Sweetwater. Kyker Funeral Homes, Sweetwater, in charge of arrangements. www.kykerfuneralhomes.com