BILLY 'BILL' E. SEIVERS
Billy “Bill” E. Sievers was born Nov. 25, 1927, died April 14, 2023.
Bill Sievers, a native of Clinton and 1948 graduate of Clinton Senior High School, was a retired US Navy and World War II veteran. He worked at Maxon Construction Company in Oak Ridge in the early 1950s, moving on in his career to work at Pan American World Airlines in control tower operator.
The majority of his professional career was spent with Downrange NASA Tracking for Apollo Space Program flights, beginning at Grand Bahama Island and Eleuthera Island, and later in the same capacity for Computer Sciences-Raytheon, downrange Ascension Island tracking base, south Atlantic Ocean. Upon retiring in 1993, Bill returned to East Tennessee and obtained an associate degree from Roane State Community College.
He was preceded in death by: Parents, William Alex Sievers and Beatrice Stokes Sievers; sister and brother-in-law, Willie Sievers Sharp and Glen Sharp (niece Georgia Carol Sharp); and brother and sister-in-law, James Mack Sievers and Hassie England Sievers.
He is survived by: Wife, Janet Reagan Sievers; son and daughter-in-law, Elliott Taylor and Lara Strickland Sievers; grandsons, Garrett Taylor and Mason Douglas; and daughters, Paige Lenore Sievers and Stacey Dawn Sievers; as well as adopted family Tim and Walta Patt, and their son Andrew Patt.
David Lee Murphy, 84, Clinton, passed away peacefully April 13, 2023, following a brief stay in the hospital.
A native of Clinton, Murphy served in the National Guard and Army Reserves prior to working as a design/product engineer. Early in his career, he worked for NASA at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., and at the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida. He also completed several engineering design projects for the space program with LINC General Precision and Boeing; as well as projects for Pan Am World Airways in Miami, Fla. He especially enjoyed his time working in support of the NASA astronauts, Project Gemini space program, and Apollo space program’s Saturn V mission.
Murphy went on to enjoy a 24-year career at IBM in Boca Raton, Fla., as a senior designer/product engineer, working on such projects as the Series I business computer and the first personal computer developed by IBM.
Following his retirement from IBM, he and his wife Gloria moved to his hometown of Clinton.
Murphy was an avid hunter and fisherman all his life. His love of the outdoors spread from hunting and hiking in the hills of East Tennessee; to deep-sea fishing; to fishing in the Clinch River and on Norris Lake.
Murphy is preceded in death by: Parents, William “Bill” and Katherine “Kitty” Murphy; and wife, Mary Gloria Murphy.
Survivors include: Daughter, Deanna (Butch) Garman of Jefferson City; granddaughters, Chelsea Atkins of Hood River, Ore., Erin Essington of State College, Penn., and Nina Essington of Jefferson City; brother, William “Bill” Murphy of Clinton; and sister, Marilyn Murphy of Clinton.
The family is honoring his request, and there will be no public service.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. www.holleygamble.com
On April 11, 2023, George L. White Jr. passed away surrounded by his loved ones at age 74.
The sun rose and the world welcomed George on April 13, 1949, a day the world became a little brighter. George lived a beautiful life with his loved ones and was a blessing to all who knew him. He enjoyed making others laugh, exploring the nature around him, woodworking, growing his knowledge through reading, and caring for animals throughout his lifetime. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed.
George had many accomplishments during his time here with us. He proudly served in the United States Army and the U.S. National Guard. George successfully started and built a drywalling business with his son that he took great pride in. He was also a member of his local church, Indian Gap Baptist Church.
He is survived by his: Wife, Sue White, as well as by many loving individuals; Brothers, Tony White, Jim White, and Michael Mcbride; sisters, Pattie LaBeth, Christy Brockman-Homann, and Cindy Tamburine; son and daughter- in-law, Michael White and Trish White; grandchildren, Amber White and Cody White.
George is also survived by his best friend and very special pet, Ozzy White.
He is predeceased by his parents George L.White Sr. and Jackie Dickson, as well as his brother, Bobby Brockman.
A private service will be held for his family members in honor of his memory. As he is remembered, our family appreciates all thoughts and prayers.
Margarete Virginia Bunch, 76, Clinton, passed away on Monday, April 10, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
She loved watching and supporting the University of Tennessee Lady Vols, NASCAR Racing, the Atlanta Braves, and spending time with her family. She worked for Sears and Roebuck in accounting.
Margarete was born in Clinton Sept. 15, 1946, and was the daughter of William H. Wright Sr. and Virginia Wheeler Wright.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: Brothers, Glenn Wright and William Wright Jr.; and grandchildren, Anthony Lloyd Bunch and Mark Anthony Bunch Jr.
Margarete is survived by: Husband, Woodrow Bunch; daughter, Juliet Cool and husband Johnny of Tampa, Fla.; son, Tony Bunch and wife Angie of Sevierville; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
Friends may visit with the Bunch Family from 5 – 6 p.m. Saturday, April 15, 2023, in the Jones Mortuary Chapel.
A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 6 p.m. with Rev. James Jones officiating.
Jones Mortuary, LLC of Clinton is serving the family of Margarete Virginia Bunch.
Gregory George McCollum, 69, Oliver Springs, passed away Sunday, April 9, 2023, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.
He served our country in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era.He enjoyed NASCAR and watching the Tennessee Vols.
He was preceded in death by: Parents, Kyle and Martha (Rickett) Bullock; sisters, Rene and Lori; step-son, Tracy Weaver.
He is survived by: Wife, Glenda (Peace) McCollum; daughter, Shanda Mencsik; son, Jason McCollum; sisters, Denise (John) Simms and Trish (Jeff) Miller; brother, Eddie Bullock; grandchildren, Shylee and Saxon Mencsik; and a host of other family members and good friends.
The family received friends from 6 – 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at Jackson Funeral Home and Cremation, 51 Edmonds Drive, Oliver Springs.
A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, 11:00 am in Oak Ridge Memorial Park.
To leave a note for Greg’s family or to share a memory, please sign our online guestbook at jacksonfuneralservices.com
Edna “Irene” Ransom” passed away Easter Morning, April 9, 2023.
She was 91.
Irene was born Nov. 19 in 1931, in Greenville, Ga., to Lemmie and Lena Pearson, the youngest of four children. She graduated from Manchester High School in the class of 1949 and attended business college training as a secretary. She married Bennie Marvin Ransom of Unadilla, Ga., July 22, 1951.They were married for 65 years before his death. After moving around the southeast for several years, they settled in Macon, Ga., where they raised their four children. Irene worked for 17 years as a church secretary for Forest Hills United Methodist Church. After retirement, Bennie and Irene moved to Norris in 1998 to be close to their daughter, Susan Mobley, and her family.
They enjoyed life in Norris. Each 4th of July was a standing family reunion to enjoy Norris Day and each other.
Irene is survived by: Three daughters and a son, Stephanie (Jim) Diguiseppi of Durham, N.C., Lisa (Curt) Reynolds of Lake Sinclair n Sparta, Ga., Susan (Mark) Mobley and Marty Ransom of Norris.
Irene had nine grandchildren: Lena (Steve) Sanok, Mark (Andrea Moore) DiGuiseppi, John DiGuiseppi; Curtis (Juli) Reynolds, Katie (John) Staples; Miles (Katie Simmons) Mobley, Ben “Rain” Mobley; Alyssa Ransom and Pierce Ransom. From those nine, Irene was proud to have seven great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the Norris Area Food Pantry, P.O. Box 327, Norris, TN 37828-0327.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
holleygamble.com
Charles “Kyle” Phillips, 80, Clinton passed away Sunday, April 9, 2023.
He was a devoted father and a beloved husband. Kyle worked in maintenance at the University of Tennessee for 10 years. He also owned Clinton City Cab for 25 years along with a shuttle business for fishermen. He was a member of Gospel Light Church of God where he served as Church Clerk for several years. Kyle was a humble person who loved his family and fought until the Lord called him home.
He was preceded in death by: Parents, Charles Elmer Phillips and Myrtle Louise (Overton) Phillips; and sister, Norma Jane Day.
He is survived by: Wife of 40 years, Gail Phillips; daughter, Meredith Zirkel; son, Daniel (Katie) Phillips; and grandchildren, Kathryn (Pat) Vacek, Christopher Zirkel, Carly Zirkel, Nicholas Zirkel, Aliegha Phillips, Neely Zirkel Ridgeway, Landon Phillips, and Kaylin Phillips; and extended family Gregory (Jennie) Guerrero
The family will receive friends at Holley Gamble Funeral Home from 4 – 6 p.m. Saturday, April 15, 2023, with funeral service at 6 p.m.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
www.holleygamble.com