Dr. Billy Harrell Blanks

Dr. Billy Harrell Blanks, 75, retired radiologist and long-time resident of Maryville, Tenn., died Saturday morning, August 28, 2010, at his home after an extended illness. Dr. Blanks is survived by his wife of 53 years, Julia Ann Vawter Blanks, and three daughters: Suzanne Snow of Alcoa, wife of Dr. David Snow; Beth Scott of Jamestown, N.C., wife of Danny Scott; and Caroline Petree of Maryville. He is also survived by son-in-law Stan Petree. Dr. Blanks also leaves a brother, Jamie Blanks of Tullahoma, Tenn., and three grandchildren: Julia Petree and Andrew Petree of Maryville; and Lindsay Scott of Jamestown, N.C. Dr. Blanks was born on Sept. 16, 1934, in McLemoresville in West Tennessee and raised in Hohenwald, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Ezekiel Blanks and Lily Norene Harrell Blanks. In 1957 at the age of 22, Dr. Blanks was graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, one of the youngest students ever to earn a medical degree from UT. He was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. After medical school he served in the U.S. Coast Guard for four years which included a tour of Japan. In 1964 Dr. Blanks and his family moved to Maryville where he joined Maryville Radiology and Associates, eventually becoming chief of staff at Blount Memorial Hospital. He retired from full-time practice in 1996. Beginning in his childhood, Dr. Blanks was enamored of hobby shops and the building of scale models. He eventually set up a fully stocked private hobby shop in the basement of his home. In later years he won numerous regional and national events with his scratch-built railroad models. He also constructed and flew radio-controlled airplanes in addition to building literally hundreds of model airplanes and military vehicles. Services will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, at Maryville Church of Christ, 611 Sherwood Drive, with Herb Byrd II, elder, officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the UT College of Medicine or to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 983-1000, www.smithmortuary.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dr. Billy Harrell Blanks please visit our Sympathy Store.