William Trent

Colonel (Retired) William Grant Trent

William Grant Trent (Bill) was born in the foothills of the beautiful Smoky Mountains in Sevierville, Tennessee. Dec. 28, 1942, to his parents, Grant and Eileen Trent. In 1944 the family moved to Morristown, Tennessee where Bill spent his childhood and adolescence making mischief, aggravating his sister and spending his days in the beauty of East Tennessee. In 1961 Bill graduated from Morristown High School and moved to Blacksburg, VA where, as a freshman, he joined the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and was a member of the highly esteemed Highty Tighties VPI Cadet Band. After one year in Blacksburg, Bill moved to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where in 1965 he received his undergraduate degree at UT and in 1969 his Medical Degree at the University of Tennessee Medical School.

Bill’s next adventures took him around the world with the Air Force, but not before meeting the love of his life, Mary Nell, in 1968. They were married in August, 1970 and in 1971 Bill accepted his first Air Force assignment to Karamursel, Turkey and then, Iraklion, Crete. The newlyweds enjoyed grand travels through Europe in the early 70s, connecting with family and friends along the way. In 1973 Bill and Mary Nell returned stateside for Bill to complete his residency in Dermatology at UT Memphis. It was there in 1974 that Bill and Mary Nell welcomed their daughter Mary Elizabeth. 1976 brought their next Air Force assignment to Eglin Air Force Base, FL where they would be stationed three times over the next 30 years. The Air Force also took them to Biloxi MS, Tacoma WA, and Cocoa Beach, FL. Across his career Bill served as Staff Dermatologist, Chief of Dermatology, Director of Education, Chief of Hospital Services, Group Commander, 62nd Medical group McChord, AFB, Commander, 45th Medical Group Patrick, AFB and held the office of Department of Defense Manager’s Assistant for Bioastronautics, Manned Space Flight Support Operations. In 1997 Bill returned to Eglin AFB, FL where he held the office of Chief of the Dermatology Clinic. After over 30 years serving in the Air Force, in 2002 Bill retired from active duty and took a position as staff dermatologist at the VA in Pensacola, FL where he served until his second retirement in 2015.

While Bill earned significant career success his greatest contribution was to those he loved and cared for. Bill was nostalgic and sentimental to a fault. He was a good steward of the earth and cared deeply for all creatures, great and small and took especially good care of his dear cats. Bill knew something about everything and was a gifted story teller. He was always up for a talk and shared novels of interesting and helpful knowledge with us all. He took care of us all and was fast to help and protect those he loved and called friend. He was deeply generous and a man of good heart to us all.

In 2008 Bill began his most important assignment and highest rank as that of Grandparent. Bill spent the next 17 years as Pops to his favorite girl, Madeline, who he called Magical. A regular fixture at every sporting and school event, after school pick ups, Disney trips, game nights, washing cars, target practice, James Bond movies, and in the later years, driving lessons, trips to Canes and heaps of wisdom and advice were his favorite duties with Madeline.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Eileen Trent, and his wife of 54 years, Mary Nell Trent. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Trent, (Eli Solomon) and his granddaughter, Madeline Solomon of Athens, GA. Sister, Barbara Huffman (David) of Marietta, GA, nephews Jon David Huffman, Daniel Huffman and Ben Huffman, and Brother in law, Philip Barrick of Schertz, TX.

To honor his wishes there will be no service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.