William "Bill" R. New, III

William R. New, III, 84, of Knoxville, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Bill was a faithful member and servant of the Fountain City Presbyterian Church. Bill retired from the Knoxville City/County Schools where he was a Teacher, Coach and Administrator.

A true Volunteer For Life, Bill served as the Lady Vols Clock Operator, 2001-2020.

Bill’s career in education included teaching PE at the Shannondale and Sterchi Elementary schools and teaching Geography and U. S. History at Fulton High School. He was an assistant coach, and later the head coach, for the Fulton High School boys’ basketball teams for a total of 18 years. In addition to teaching, Bill, being a determined and dedicated provider and family man, worked extra jobs in the evenings, on weekends and through the summers: a referee for basketball games, a manager for rec league softball parks and a summer schoolteacher. Bill transitioned to the role of Assistant Principal at the Halls, Central and Farragut High Schools. After 40 years in Education, Bill retired in 2002. Whether at the beach, in the stadium or on the golf course, Bill loved and lived for family, friends, church, golf and the Lady Vols. He found special joy visiting and traveling with Michael & Eydie. His life of faith led him to serve and support Fountain City Presbyterian Church: Elder; Deacon; the Family Promise Program; and mission work. Bill was often ready with a quote, statistic, fact, joke or question, and always present and ready to listen. We will miss you Bill, dad, fuzzy, Mr. & Coach New.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William R. New, II and Vinny L. New.

Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Beth New; children, Jeffrey (Patty) New, Eric New, Amy Rice and Brian New; six grandchildren, Anthony New, Isaac New, Justin New, Ian Rice, Gabriel New, and Brynna Rice; great grandchild, Mylo Wyatt; sister, Harriet G. New; and dear friends and family, Michael and Edith Robertson.

A graveside committal service will be held at Riverside Cemetery on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 11 am.  Pastor Carl Grosse will officiate.  Share memories and condolences with the family at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com  Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337.  Because every life has a story.