James W. "Bill" Phifer

James W. "Bill" Phifer, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was born on February 14, 1929, in Knoxville. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday evening, December 15, 2025, at the age of 96.
Bill was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was an active member of Fountain City Presbyterian Church for approximately 82 years. For 42 of those years, he served as director of the adult chancel choir. He also served on the session as an elder and taught Sunday School.
Bill enjoyed reading, working newspaper cross words, singing and frequenting his favorite restaurants. He was caregiver for his wife Marion until her passing in 2015. In September of 2023 he moved to Birmingham, Alabama to be closer to his daughter, Karen. He lived the majority of his final two years in the great care of South Haven Health and Rehabilitation Center until his passing on December 15, 2025.
Bill was preceded in death by his loving bride, Marion Mary Hollingsworth Phifer; his son, James Wilson Phifer, Jr.; his parents, Wilkie Haig Phifer and Zula Bennett Phifer; and his 5 brothers and sisters, Wilkie H. Phifer, Jr., Lambreth A. Phifer, Constance (Connie) P. Burnette, Mary (Shugie) P. Dougherty, and Barbara Jean (Bobbie) P. Dyer.
He is survived by his daughter Karen P. Appleby, daughter-in-law Kellie L. Phifer, and 5 grandchildren – Christopher Michael Appleby (Amy), Sarah Appleby Zevac (David), Anna Lee Phifer Gallagher (Brandon), James Wilson (Wil) Phifer III (Haley), and Rachel Maria Phifer; and by 13 great-grandchildren – Lauren, Emily and Caleb Appleby; Luke, Samuel, and Lily Zevac; Cadence, Abigail, and Lettie Gallagher; Charlotte, James Wilson IV, Benjamin, and Penelope Phifer; and Hailee Phifer; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Receiving of friends will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, with the service following at 11:15 at Fountain City Presbyterian church, 500 Hotel Road, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37918. The service will be followed by a reception for family and friends in the fellowship hall of the church. The graveside service will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37919.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Friends Of The Smokies using this link: https://friendsofthesmokies.org/make-a-gift/. The Great Smoky Mountains were very close to Bill's heart and he was a member of this organization. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James W. "Bill", please visit our floral store.