William M. McSpadden, Jr.

William Marion McSpadden, Jr., (87) departed this life on January 2, 2025, surrounded by his family.

William (Bill) was born on August 31, 1937, to Jessie Lay McSpadden and Willam M. McSpadden, Sr., in Harlan, Kentucky. The family moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1949. Bill attended Young High School and graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Tennessee, where he played trumpet in the Pride of the Southland Band.

While working at Tennessee Eastman/Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport he met the love of his life, Mary Louise Johnston. They married in 1962 and raised four children: Elizabeth, William III, Laura, and Sarah. 

Bill worked at Eastman for nearly 40 years and was a pioneer in the development of computer programming and artificial intelligence there.

He was a member of Waverly Road Presbyterian Church and later Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church, where he served as elder and sang in the choir; and he was a recent member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church.

Bill loved music and literature. He played trumpet in the Kingsport Symphony Orchestra for many years. Additionally he played piano and explored other instruments. He had extensive libraries of Great Works in both music and literature. Other hobbies included playing chess and board games, photography, and walking with Mary and their son, Bill.

He is remembered by friends and family as a gentleman who was kind to everyone he met and as having had a dry wit and sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary; his children, Elizabeth (Martin) Hunt, William III, Laura (Tom) Froning, and Sarah (Ken) Senter; nine grandchildren, Caroline Hunt Clinton, Robert Hunt, Mary Margaret Hunt, Ruthie Froning, Maggie Froning, Ella Froning, James Senter, Katie Senter Herrada, and David Senter; and two great grandchildren: Naomi Clinton and Emilia Herrada.

 A memorial service will be held at First Broad Street United Methodist Church in Kingsport, Tennessee, on Saturday, January 18, at 2:00pm with Dr. Ed Clevinger and Rev. Dr. Randy Frye officiating. A reception will follow at First Broad Street United Methodist Church.