William Hunter Dent, Jr.

William Hunter Dent, Jr, age 86, of Maryville, went home to be with the Lord on December 7, 2022.  Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, William attended Maryville College, where he met Margaret Dent, the love of his life, and wife of 61 years. William had three sons and an extended family whom he loved dearly.  After graduation from Maryville College, where William majored in Math and was an accomplished baseball player, William earned a Master of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Kentucky. William completed his PhD in Mathematics in 1972 at the University of Tennessee. William began his teaching career at the University of Kentucky and returned to teach Mathematics at Maryville College for 38 years, retiring in 2002.  From 1980 to 2000, William was the chair of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department.  William was active as a youth baseball coach, and in Church activities, having served as the Chairman of the Board of Deacons for a local Church.  William enjoyed teaching, gardening, traveling, playing bridge, and sports, especially the University of Kentucky and the Philadelphia Phillies.   William was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; parents, William, Sr. and Eva Dent; and sister Dorothy Owens.  William is survived by three sons, William Dent III (Jane), Richard (Sheri), and John (Kelly); grandchildren, Nicole Schmitt (Matthew), David Hughes (Kristen), Megan Dent, and Ryan Dent; great granddaughter Eva Hughes; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of dear, close friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Lamar Hall, Maryville College Chapel with a date and time to be announced.  The service will be a celebration of life for William and Margaret as one could not be held for Margaret due to Covid-19 concerns.  In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider making donations in William and Margaret's name to the Blount Memorial Foundation, Cancer Center Patient Resource Fund, 907 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville,

Tennessee 37804. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com