Obituary: William Thomas Sylvia

William Thomas Sylvia, age 79, a resident of Oliver Springs, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 5, at Methodist Medical Center.

Mr. Sylvia was born April 16, 1935, in Harriman. Following his high school graduation, he entered into the United States Army, and he served his country during the Korean Conflict.

In 1961, he and his wife moved to Oliver Springs. After living in Colorado for six years, he moved back to Oliver Springs, where he has continued to live.

William retired from the U.S. Department Of Energy in 1995, following 25 years of service as an HVAC technician. 

He loved spending time with his family, traveling, and outdoor activities, including digging ginseng, being in the woods, and hunting. He would quickly answer the call for help from a friend or neighbor, and he loved helping others.

Mr. Sylvia was a faithful Christian and a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, Lonnie and Oma Cate Sylvia, he was preceded in death by brothers, Ted, Lonnie, Calvin and a twin brother, Walter; by sisters, Violet Hembree, Grace Parton, Nancy Kirby, and Pearl Sylvia; and by his in-laws, Derry and Myrtle Lowe, by a sister-in-law, Carrie Lowe, and by a brother-in-law, Barney Lowe.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Ann Sylvia of Oliver Springs; by daughters, Rosemarie Sylvia Alseth and husband Tim, of Boise, Idaho, and Teresa Sylvia Diehl and husband John, of Knoxville; and by grandchildren, Julian and Anarose Sylvia.

He is also survived by a brother, Robert Sylvia and wife Jeanie, of Harriman; by sisters, Mary Harmon and husband Charles, of Harriman, Elizabeth Wheeler and husband Dick, of Harriman, and Pat McGinnis of Knoxville; by a brother-in-law, Ralph Lowe and wife Jean of Oliver Springs; by a sister-in-law, Barbara Lowe of Oliver Springs; and by several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and a host of special friends.

The family received friends Monday, December 8, between 6 and 8 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. The funeral followed at 8 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Pastor Garvin Walls officiating. Burial and graveside services with complete military honors were held Tuesday, December 9, at 11 a.m. at Anderson Memorial Gardens.

Sharp Funeral Home is serving the Sylvia family, and we invite you to leave messages and condolences at www.sharpfh.com.