Cover photo for William Barry Robertson's Obituary
William Barry Robertson Profile Photo

William Barry Robertson

June 21, 1929 — September 21, 2010

William Barry Robertson

William Barry Robertson, 81, of Kingsport, was born June 21, 1929, in Memphis, TN, and died September 21, 2010, in Kingsport, TN.

His parents were Lola Inez Dalton Robertson and William Ernest Robertson. The family, including a sister, Betty Dalton Robertson, moved to the Karns Community of Knox County in 1936 so that his father's high school vocational agriculture classes at Karns High School could be a teacher training site for vocational agriculture education majors from The University of Tennessee. Barry graduated from Karns High School in 1947. He received a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from The University of Tennessee in 1951, and, at the same time, was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army Corps of Engineers. He married his childhood sweetheart, Lena Saville Evans, on May 31, 1952. Barry was called to active duty in August, 1952, serving at Ft. Belvoir, VA, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, and in Korea.

Barry and Lena returned to Kingsport, TN, in 1954, and this has been their home. He worked in Kingsport as a chemical engineer for 35 years and retired from Eastman Kodak in 1987. He enjoyed time with his family, and Thanksgiving croquet matches became an exciting tradition, one that began for Barry with his grandfather in the 1940s. Reading, Pilates, golf, duplicate bridge, and Scrabble were enjoyed. Barry and Lena enjoyed ballroom dancing from 1946 until 2007. They were members of First Baptist Church since 1952, and the worship, service, and friendships of a lifetime therein remain a great legacy.

Barry is survived by his wife, Lena; daughter, Nancy Inez Robertson, Columbia, MO; son, W. Barry Robertson, Jr. and wife, Pamela, of Knoxville, and their sons, Shawn, Eric, Reuben, Kevin, and Coger; son, Joe Owen Robertson and wife, Adele, of Orlando, FL, and their daughters, Erin and Lisa; sister, Betty Riley and husband, Don, of Knoxville; nieces, Kathy, Lisa, and Carol; nephew, Don; and eight grand-nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be conducted on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Sunset Cemetery, Clinton, TN.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday at 12:00 noon at First Baptist Church, Kingsport, with Dr. Marvin Cameron officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 200 West Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660.


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