Bill Farnham

John William (Bill) Farnham was born April 3, 1948, in Harriman, TN to John Leroy Farnham and Ruth Vann Richardson Farnham who have preceded him in death.

Bill had many interests and passions that led him to a wide variety of careers, and no matter what career path he was on, he quickly became a subject matter expert in that field. Bill's careers included being an AM radio broadcaster, an Emergency Medical Technician, a Sheriff's Deputy, and a Locksmith while he worked in the family business at Farnham's Hardware. His last career was that of a Critical Care Respiratory Therapist from which Bill retired after 38 years at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

When he wasn't at work, Bill kept himself busy by being involved in many different community programs. He inherited a passion for music from his parents. He was a proud member of the Rhapsody in Blue band at Harriman High School, the Roane Choral Society, and the Babahatchie Community Band. He loved being in the theatre, whether that be acting on stage or running the show from the wings. He acted in countless productions with the Roane State Playmakers at Roane State Community College, and he was Stage Manager for over a decade's worth of productions with the Arts in Motion dance studio. Some of his favorite performances include The Fantastiks, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Harvey, The Diviners, All in the Timing, and many others.

Bill, otherwise known as KI4FZT, was an active amateur radio operator. He served as the Emergency Coordinator in Roane County for the American Radio Emergency Services (ARES) group and was a member of the Roane County Amateur Radio Club. He also served Roane County as the Emergency Communications Director for the Office of Emergency Services (OES). Despite any physical restrictions, Bill remained extremely active and an integral part of the emergency response community.

Above all of his interests and hobbies, Bill Farnham was a devout Christian and faithful member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Harriman. During his many decades at St. Andrew's he trained many acolytes and lay readers, served many years on the vestry, and served as an ecumenical officer and member of the Standing Committee for the Diocese of East TN. Bill graduated from Sewanee's Education for Ministry program where his knowledge and passion for liturgy grew even deeper. He is famously known for orchestrating Seder meals with his wife and was always responsible for preparing his infamous Seder lamb. Bill was a leader, mentor, and guiding voice to so many in the parish, and his presence at St. Andrew's will be irreplaceable.

He leaves behind his partner in life and wife, Lynn Solomon Farnham, with whom he would have celebrated 42 years of marriage on May 28th of this year. He is also survived by his daughter, Katy Farnham Stout, son-in-law, Blake Stout, who he loved as his own, and granddaughter Wriley Kate Stout; daughter Donna Farnham Barnhardt, son-in-law, Joseph Barnhardt, and grandsons Michael and Jonathan Farnham; daughter Melynda Farnham, granddaughter, Bella Farnham, and great grandson, Connor; sister Susan Farnham Hudson and her husband, Evan Hudson; niece Beth Hudson Arndt and her husband, Joshua Arndt; sister-in-law, Linda Solomon Tilson and her husband, Merley Tilson; nieces and nephews Tracy Disney (Jim), Reagan Arnold (Dustin), Corbin King, Melanie Nelson, Hayden Nelson (Alexis), Hannah Moore (Ray), Casey Moore, and Derrick Stewart (Michelle); brother by choice Scott Stout, his wife, Deb, and their daughter, Emilee; and countless other friends and community members who knew and loved him.

Anyone who spoke to Bill in the past 14 months knew how much he loved his granddaughter, Wriley. She brought the last year of his life so much joy. Everything around him stopped when she visited so he could see everything she was up to and into. Nothing made him happier than when she started walking and she would peek around the corner to blow her Poppy a kiss. While their time together was short, Wriley will grow up hearing all the stories of Bill, and undoubtedly his legacy will live on in her.

Bill touched the lives of so many people during his 76 years in the world. He was always someone you could count on to listen when you needed an ear, pray when you needed support, and crack a joke when you needed a laugh (though the chances of it being appropriate are slim).

Bill relied on his faith to get him through the trials of his life. He loved to have, what could at times be lengthy, conversations pondering the meaning of life. Those conversations always came back to God and what it means to be a Christian. While Bill was an extremely logical man who always had an answer for everything, he happily accepted that there are some things he'll never know or understand. He found solace in this fact that he routinely had to remind his daughter Katy of, and that is, "Your human brain is not capable of comprehending the concept of what God is and is able to do." But now, he can comprehend and learn all the things he knew he could never understand in this physical world.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 27th from 12pm-2pm with funeral and interment to immediately follow. All services will take place at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church at 190 Circle Drive in Harriman, TN.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any contributions be made to the Memorial Fund at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.