William Masters

William Masters, age 98, of Farragut, TN, and formerly of Bowerston, OH, went to be with the Lord Wednesday morning March 4, 2026. William (Bill) was a loving and devoted father, Papa, and friend. He had a zest for life and lead by example through his faith, compassion for others, and positive attitude. As a young man he was an avid hunter and he enjoyed playing golf and was a beach bocci ball pro. He was a devoted member of Faith Fellowship Cumberland Presbyterian Church and always generous with his time participating in church projects, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels and charitable work for those less fortunate in the Eastern Tennessee Mountains. As a young man in Bowerston, OH, Bill helped his father Joe who owned the local meat market and grocery store. Many times he helped local farmers harvest their crops for a free lunch. He played basketball with his twin brother Bob in high school and also played 6 man football because they weren't able to field a full team due to WWII. In fact they had to ask a local preacher to be their coach in order to field a team. At Bowerston High School he met the love of his life, Nancy Kinsey, who was a cheerleader for his team. Upon reaching the age of 18 in May of 1944, Bill and his twin brother Bob were drafted into the US Army Air Force and went off to war. His twin brother Bob was dating Nancy's sister, Lila, and they were married before he went into the service, Nancy was younger and she promised to wait for Bill until after the war. The twin brothers left for Germany with their good friend Dean Copeland and as fate would have it when their tour of duty ended all three returned to the states on the same ship. After serving his country, Bill married Nancy in August of 1947 on her family farm and they moved to Alliance, OH, where he attended Mount Union College on the GI Bill. He graduated with a degree in chemistry and his first job was teaching 5th grade. It was during this time that his first two children, Jeff and Cindy, were born. The pay as a teacher was not enough to raise a family on so when his older brother Frank told him that Tennessee Gas Pipeline was hiring at the compressor station in nearby Carrolton, OH, he applied and was hired as the station chemist. This was the beginning of a 38 year career that spanned living at 5 different compressor stations in Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania. While living in West Winfield NY, Becky and Melissa were born. He worked his way up to Assistant Division Superintendent while living in Hamburg NY. If you met any of the many employees who worked for him they would all say he was the best boss they ever had because he cared about them as people. He was very fortunate that his company transferred him to Knoxville TN in 1989 where he worked for two more years before retiring. Bill and Nancy purchased their dream home on Saint Johns Court in Farragut and lived there for 21 years. They enjoyed square dancing and Bill sang in the church choir. He had an amazing voice and while in Carrolton, OH, sang in a barbershop quartet called the "Fractured Flats". Bill also sang at every one of his grand children's weddings. During his lifetime he was President of the Mercer, PA, School Board, President of the local chapter of the AARP in Knoxville, a member of the Mercer, PA,Rotary Club and served on the Cottages of Pryse Farm Home Owners Association Board. Bill and Nancy brought their family together each summer at the beach in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for nearly 40 years. This was especially important because none of them lived nearby and it was a wonderful place to play in the surf and create lasting family memories. After sharing 65 years of marriage Nancy passed away in 2012. In 2014 he met Shirley Bryan of Chattanooga, TN, who passed away in 2017. They enjoyed singing and playing games. Bill later met the lovely Naomi Weakley, his next door neighbor at Pryse Farm, who passed away recently. They traveled together to Europe, California, and North Carolina. Their typical day started with a phone call to say good morning, perhaps going out to lunch, dinner followed by a Netflix movie, and Bill never went to bed without calling Naomi to say goodnight.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy L. Masters, parents, Joseph and Alice Masters, brothers, Frank and Bob Masters, sisters, Ruth Monigold (Masters) and Betty Masters, son-in-law Michael Leonard, and grandson Clayton Nelson. William E. Masters (Bill); is survived by his son and daughter in law; Jeff and Mary Kay Masters of Rochester NY; daughter Cindy Leonard of Richmond VA; daughters and sons-in-law, Becky and Tim Gool of Syracuse NY, and Melissa and Mark Nelson of Bowling Green, KY; grand children Michael Leonard, Suzanne Masters, Patrick Leonard (Angela), Allison Foley, Erin Dickenson (Hunter),Jeremy Gool, Elizabeth Gool, Kyle Masters, and Kinsey Scott (Cole); great-grandchildren Connor, Caleb,Hudson, Kayleigh, Elliot, and Katie.

Special appreciation to all the dedicated and loving care givers from First Light, and wonderful neighbors at the Cottages of Pryse Farm that looked out for Bill in his later years, and the dedicated and compassionate staff at Park West Hospital and Covenant Health.

Calling hours will be at Geib Funeral Home in New Philadelphia OH on Saturday March 14th at 10:00 am followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am. Internment will follow in Longview Cemetery at Bowerston, OH. A celebration of life will be held at the Cottages of Pryse Farm Club House at a later date.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Faith Fellowship Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 14025 US-70, Lenoir City, TN, 37772.