William "Fred" Graves Jr.

William Fred Graves, Jr., age 94, a lifelong resident of Fountain City, passed away on November 6, 2024. Mr. Graves was an active member of Fountain City United Methodist Church for the entirety of his life. He served in a variety of roles within the Church and attended the Home Builders Sunday School Class. Mr. Graves served proudly as a United States Marine and ultimately retired from Bike Athletic Apparel. Upon retirement, he became one of the founding members of the R.O.M.E.O. Club: Retired Old Men Eating Out. Mr. Graves enjoyed watching, and debating the qualities of, his favorite sports teams including the Central High School Bobcats, the Tennessee Volunteers, and the Atlanta Braves. Mr. Graves was a member of the 1950 Pride of the Southland Marching Band and was sent with the band by Athletic Director General Robert Neyland to perform in the 1951 Cotton Bowl where he witnessed Tennessee win a national championship. Mr. Graves was known by all for his humor and wit. He was also a fierce defender of the proper geography of Fountain City Lake and would be quick to correct you that it is not a pond.
He was preceded in death by his father William Fred Graves, Sr. and his mother, Ruth Graves.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Billie Schumpert Graves, his brother Tom Graves, his son David Graves and wife Nancy Graves, his daughter Debra Parks and husband Mitchell Parks; grandchildren Casey Johnson and husband Bryan Johnson, Tyler Parks and wife McCauley Parks, Gregg Graves, and Brad Parks and wife Valerie Parks; great grandchildren Madison Parks, Regan Robbins, Brooks Johnson, Lucy Johnson, Weston Parks, and Beau Parks; brother in law Tom Schumpert and wife Charolette Schumpert and brother in law R.B. Schumpert and wife Susan Schumpert; nieces and nephews Kim Schumpert, Amy Schumpert, Laura Raney and husband Mick Raney, and Scott Schumpert and wife Sally Schumpert.
The family will receive friends from 11:00am – 1:00pm on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Fountain City United Methodist Church. The funeral service will follow at 1:00pm. Family and friends will then gather at Lynnhurst Cemetery for a 3:00pm graveside.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Fountain City United Methodist Church.
Gentry-Griffey Funeral Chapel and Crematory is honored to serve the Graves family and invites you to sign the online registry at www.gentrygriffey.com