William "Red" McGinnis would have been class of 1953

[Bob]

Assistant Chief William H. “Red” McGinnis, (Knoxville Fire Department, retired), departed this world peacefully at home at the age of 86 on December 23, 2021. The last breath he took on earth was the first he took in Heaven.

Born in Knoxville, TN, he was proud to have been raised in Lonsdale attending Lonsdale Elementary and Rule High School. At the age of 21 he joined the United States Marine Corp. When he returned home he worked at Foreign and Domestic Veneer Company prior to joining the ranks of the Knoxville Fire Department where he spent 37 years. He was very proud of his service to his country and his community. He always flew two flags proudly, the American flag and the Marine Corp flag.

He was a natural athlete. He loved baseball and was known locally for his pitching abilities particularly his reverse knuckle ball. Being ambidextrous, he was a double threat. He had the opportunity of a lifetime to try out for the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. His talent did not stop there, he played golf several times a week and at the age of 72 he had two hole-in- one’s in a single round of golf. He had a total of 5 hole in one’s.

He wasn’t afraid to take chances in life, he didn’t sit back and watch things happen, he made things happen. He was forward thinking and took every opportunity that he had to build a secure future for his family. He worked hard for everything he had and after retirement was able to spend years doing what he enjoyed most, golfing and spending time with family and more golfing. His son Jeff remembers the first time his dad asked him to join him on the golf course, what an honor that was that led to many years of them spending time together golfing, including being a witness to the two hole in one’s mentioned above.

He was so proud of both of his sons and their accomplishments in their careers and personal lives, knowing they were happy made him happy. He raised two bonus daughters who looked up to him and loved him like a father. His grandchildren adored and respected him. I was glad that even in his final days the smile on his face when Stella and Atticus came to visit lit up the room. He was a great husband, father, grandfather and friend. He led by example and has left behind a legacy of strength, love, hard work and importance of family. He often said that if our children had just half the happiness in their lives that we shared in our life together they would be truly blessed.

Preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Ida McGinnis; sisters, Nola Davis, Faye Tinsley and Jean Coleman. Survived by Tina, his loving wife and companion of 40 years; his sons, Jeff (Renee) McGinnis, and David (Reta) McGinnis; daughters, Katie (Frank) Bough and Jennifer Hackney; grandchildren, Matthew McGinnis, Casey (Vanessa) McGinnis, Jordyn Bough, Kelsea (JR) Pennington, Seth Bough and Dylan Pemberton; great-grandchildren, Stella Rae and Atticus Pennington and another on the way; mother-in-law, Mozella Wallace; sisters-in-law, Carol Smith and Cindy (Mark) Fleming; and many nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends 5-6pm Monday at Click Funeral Home Middlebrook Chapel with a service to follow at 6pm. Burial will be 12:30pm Tuesday at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors conferred by the US Marine Corp and the East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard.