William Robert Fox, Sr., “Bill,” passed away March 7, 2024 after a hard fought battle with cancer. Bill was born January 14, 1943 to Donald and Mary Pauline (Lynch) Fox, the youngest of their 8 children.
Bill is survived by his loving family: son, William R. Fox Jr. “Rob” and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Ann (Kernica) Fox; son, Michael W. Fox; three adored grandchildren, Wesley Hatch, Arabella Rose, and Mavrick Tanner who were the light of his life; sisters, Freda (Fox) Mulloy and Shirley (Fox) Parker-Sheffield; brother-in-law, Donald Roth; and dozens of nieces, nephews, and beloved family and friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Levern (Samples) Fox; beloved daughter-in-law, Melanie Dawn (Tackett) Fox; his parents, Donald and Mary Pauline (Lynch) Fox; in-laws, Wesley and Mary Elizabeth (Tippens) Samples; sister, Mary Jean and husband, Thomas Morgan; brother, Donald Fox; sister, Pauline (Fox) Roth; sister, Donna (Fox) and husband, John Wade; brother, James and wife, Connie (Roach) Fox; brothers-in-law, John Mulloy, Bud Parker, and Clyde Sheffield; sister-in-law, Sally Roth; brother-in-law, Wayne Samples and his wife, Pat; nephews, Danny Wade, Paul Fox, Mike Mulloy, and Brian Roth; and special great nephew, Jeff Dean.
Bill attended Catholic Schools in Knoxville, TN and enjoyed his many lasting friendships with his classmates throughout his life. Bill was a dedicated electrician with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 760 for over 60 years. Following the family tradition, he became an apprentice in 1964 to top out as a journeyman wireman in 1969. During this time, he met and married his beautiful bride, Levern, and started his family. Over his career, he worked many jobs in the Eastern U.S. Bill would retire in January 2005. He would enjoy attending retiree lunches and meetings throughout his remaining years.
Bill was an avid gardener, as were many of his siblings. He could grow anything from a cutting and knew just about anything you ever needed to know about plants, flowers, and trees. He enjoyed his garden and sharing his knowledge with everyone.
Bill got along well with anyone he met and spent time with. He enjoyed cutting up with all on his patio over a drink. His cantankerous ways made him endearing and fun to sit and chat with. In his later years, his happiest times were spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. You never left time with him without a smile and a ton of laughs.
The family would like to give special thanks to Mobile Meals, PCM Staffing, and Amedysis Hospice. These loving people who came into his life to care for him became family to us all. They are invaluable to us. We would like to give a personal thank you to PCM nurses: Christy, Angel, Courtney, Gayle, Della, Debbie, Brandi, BJ, Ben, Jimmy, and Nicole, and hospice nurses: Kristin, Allison, and Brad. We could not have done any of this without all of you. Bill will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Family will receive friends at Click Funeral Home Middlebrook Chapel on Friday, March 15, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at All Saint’s Catholic Church, 620 N Cedar Bluff Rd, Knoxville, TN 37923 on Saturday, March 16, 2024 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Graveside service to follow at 12:00 p.m. at Calvary Cemetery, 1916 Martin Luther King Jr Ave., Knoxville, TN 37915.
