Obituary: William G. ‘Billy’ Sewell

Former Recreation and Parks director, helped start ORRA

William G. Sewell, affectionately known as “Billy,” passed away peacefully on October 2, 2015, at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs. The cause of death was acute myeloid leukemia. He was 72.

Billy was born May 24, 1943, to the late Frances and Bill Sewell, in Ravenna, Ohio. His family moved to Oak Ridge when he was very young, and Billy grew up in the Oak Ridge school system.

He is survived by his lover, confidant, his best friend, his beautiful wife of 47 years, Gail. He is also survived by three children: daughter Molly Sewell Tillyer, her husband Mike, and grandchildren Matthew Tillyer (21) and Nolan Tillyer (16); son Russell Wayne Sewell, and grandchild Logan Sewell (7); and daughter Amy Kathryn Sewell Torres, her husband Michael, and grandchildren Allison Arriola (15), Austin Arriola (13), Sophia Torres (3), Aaron Torres (15), and Annalyse Torres (14). Billy is also survived by a sister, Mary Lou Sewell Murphy, her husband John, and their children Mike, Melinda, Marsha, and Matt; brother Frank Sewell, his wife Pam, and their three children, Rachel, Thomas and Daniel; and brother Joe Sewell, his wife Mary (deceased), and their children Jessica and John.

Billy was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force from April 1964 to February 1968. He stayed out for a year and joined the Tennessee Air National Guard, where he retired with 34 years in 2003. The last five years before retirement, he spent going to various Guard bases helping to set up the units’ commercial communications systems.

Billy was known as a swimmer and diver in his youth. He was a lifeguard at the Oak Ridge Municipal Pool. After college, he joined the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department, and he was appointed aquatics supervisor. During his tenure here, he first introduced female lifeguards at the indoor and outdoor pools. He was promoted to athletics supervisor, assistant director, and ultimately director.

During his stay at the Recreation and Parks Department, he was instrumental in starting the Oak Ridge Rowing Association, or ORRA, along with Jim Ramsey, Lou Dunlap, Marshall Thurman, and Rod Townsend of Knoxville; He was also instrumental in starting masters softball for men and women. He was the first SEAAU Masters Swimming chairman for the Southeast. He along with Windy Kosgrove, John Crews, and Bobbi Smith started the masters swim program in Oak Ridge. In addition, he along with Randy Nicholson, started the Oak Ridge Sports Hall of Fame. The purpose was to recognize those individuals who had excelled athletically, as a coach, mentor, or a devout fan, and had given back to their community in this capacity.

He enjoyed his family immensely. He also enjoyed the outdoors (he was an Eagle Scout) golfing, swimming, reading, and classical music. One of his favorite ways to relax was sitting in his easy chair, with his earphones on listening to his favorite music.

Billy resigned from the City of Oak Ridge in 1985 and began a new career with Ridge Realty Company, resigning from there in 1995 to devote his time and attention to his family and to the Tennessee Air National Guard.

Penned by Billy Sewell—April 24, 2014

“Me thinks me doed alright.” (Ask family member for explanation.)

The receiving of friends will be held 5-8 p.m. Friday, November 13, at The Old Towne Inn in Oak Ridge, 110 East Tennessee Avenue. A private service for family will be held Sunday.