William Franklin Mode

William “Bill” Franklin Mode, son of Joseph Wheeler and Marguerite A. Sliger Mode, went home to be with the Lord with his family by his side on Friday, August 5, 2022 due to complications from Covid. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Bettye Davis Mode, and sisters Betty Jo Mode Butler and Wilma Ruth Mode Massey. Dad (Papaw-Uncle Bill) was born on 21 October 1932 in Knoxville, Tennessee and attended Old Knox High where he was active in R.O.T.C. At the age of four, he lost his father, and worked from the time he was able to work, to help support his mother, until after retirement. At the age of seventeen, and shortly after the outbreak of the Korean War, he joined the United States Marine Corps, completing boot camp at Parris Island. He served from August 1950 to August of 1954. After boot camp he served with A Company, 2nd Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion at Camp Geiger and Stone Bay at Camp Lejeune. Landing at Inchon, dad served with the Kimpo Provisional Regiment as a Voice and Code Radio Operator while stationed in Korea at the DMZ. He was proud of his Marine Corps service, and wore the title well. A day never passed that he did not display his American flag. After returning from Korea, he went to work for South Central Bell as a lineman, moved to Installation, and lastly worked in the TSPS division, ultimately retiring from AT&T in 1991. After retiring, he worked for Radonics, testing for Radon. He was an avid U.T. sports fan, having ushered for nearly thirty years many football, basketball, and baseball games, as well as a great many concerts. Dad was a quiet, humble man, generous beyond compare, and loved his family. He enjoyed reading books on history, doing crossword puzzles, going to Dollywood with his grandsons, and gospel singing conventions with mom. Left to mourn his loss are sons Kenneth (Nena) and Joe (Patsy) Mode, grandsons Jacob (DK) and Joshua Mode, Sister-in-law; Rebecca Davis Summers, and several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews. Our family would like to acknowledge and thank Earl Deaver and his family for the friendship, help, and kindness they have shown dad through the years, as well as several of dad’s close neighbors. We love you all, and appreciate you more than you will ever know. We would also like to acknowledge the wonderful care given by Meagan from U.T. Hospice Care, Angie Major, as well as Rita, Kimmie, Brian, and the staff at the Halls Waffle House who also ways made dad feel loved and special. Friends may call at their convenience on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Mynatt Funeral Home Fountain City Chapel. Family and friends will meet 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at Lynnhurst Cemetery for an 11:00 a.m. graveside service Rev. Gary Shaffer officiating with full military honors provided by the East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, consider donations to some of dad’s favorite charities, such as St. Jude’s, Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Wounded Warrior’s Project, Gideons, or The Ronald McDonald House. Online condolences may be left at www.mynattfh.com