Wesley Davis Arnold, Jr. (Bill), age 89, died on December 8, 2019, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
He was born on September 30, 1930, in Pisgah, Alabama, to Wesley Davis Arnold, Sr., and Lillian Johnson Arnold, both deceased. A graduate of Pisgah High School and the University of Alabama, he was employed by Pennsalt Manufacturing Company in Calvert City, Kentucky, for two years before moving to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in 1954. He was a chemist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the Materials Chemistry, Chemical Technology, and Chemistry Divisions for 38 years before retiring in 1992.
Mr. Arnold is survived by three children, Wesley Arnold III (Patricia) of Alexandria, Alabama; Melinda Arnold-Fletcher (Adrian) of Charlotte, North Carolina; and Susan Fallon (Pat) of Goodyear, Arizona; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. His stepsons, William Barnett (Wendy); Scott Barnett (Regina); and Elliott Barnett (Crystal) all of Kingston, Tennessee; 10 step-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren also survive him.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Matt Arnold; grandson, Geoffrey Fallon; Iula C. Arnold (mother of his children); and Barbara Arnold (mother of his step-children).
Bill was a member of the United Church in Oak Ridge. At different times in his life, he was active in the American Chemical Society, Oak Ridge Lions Club, and Seventh Step, an organization that serves inmates at the Morgan County Correctional Complex. He was also active with the Boy Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, Oak Ridge Baseball Association, and the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club. He enjoyed trout fishing in his younger years. He enjoyed reading, gardening, woodworking, family genealogy, and the local history of the Oak Ridge area as well as where he was born and raised.
A memorial service will be held at the United Church Chapel on the Hill on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, beginning at 2 p.m., with a reception following at the church until 4:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Bill requested that donations be made to the following:
The United Church
Pastor’s Discretionary Fund
85 Kentucky Avenue
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
The family would like to thank the staff at NHC Healthcare Oak Ridge and Caris Hospice, Knoxville, for their service and care during his final days. Cremation Options, Inc., Knoxville, Tennessee, is in charge of the arrangements.
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