William Paul “Bill” Teichert Sr., born Nov. 24, 1928, in Pennington Gap, Va., passed away March 6 surrounded by his loving family.
Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife of over 50 years, Barbara Ann , and an infant daughter Bethany.
He is survived by a son, Paul Teichert of Clinton; daughter Teri Teichert; grandson Brandon Knight; and two great-grandsons Cameron and Gabriel Knight, all of Knoxville.
Bill was a long time resident of the Oak Ridge and Claxton area. His passion in life was his wife, children, and grandchildren. He had a great love for his country, serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II and later in the Naval reserves.
Bill was well-known for his enduring commitment to his community and specifically to the development of local youth. He was a former president of the Claxton Optimist Club, founding member of the Clazton Athletic Association, and longtime football coach, and Boy Scout Troup leader and Regional Commissioner.
Bill was particularly proud of his contribution to the growth of the Claxton community through his leadership of the projects that built the Claxton Football Field and Claxton Community Center and Public Library. Bill was a longtime advocate of civil rights, helping to integrate the Clinton school system and athletics when they were integrated in the late 1960s.
Bill was a long time employee of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and an engineer on the centrifuge program at Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant. In his later career, he served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Energy. In his retirement, Bill was best known for his love of gardening, college football, good beer, and his eclectic collection of vintage socks, which are lovingly buried with him.
Visitation with the family was Monday March 10, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home. Interment will be private.
Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home is serving the Teichert family. You may visit the site at www.martinfuneralhomeoakridge.com.
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