William Lawson Jenkins, Sr.

William “Lawson�? Jenkins, Sr., age 90, passed away Thursday, December 3, 2009 at Blount Memorial Hospital. A 1939 graduate of Knoxville High School, he enlisted in the US Army in July 1940, commissioned Chief Warrant Officer, and beginning in July, 1943. Lawson served throughout World War II with the 48th Engineer Combat Battalion. The 48th Engineers landed in North Africa in September 1943, then landed in Italy advancing into the Battle of Monte Cassino, landed at Red Beach at St. Raphael in Southern France on D-Day, advancing into the Battle of the Bulge, and eventually liberating Dacau. Discharged, he came home to Knoxville, his wife Dorothy and family, on December 6, 1946. In 1947, he began his Federal Government career in Oak Ridge, as a Security Officer with AEC, and then in 1960 was appointed Director of Security Operations for the National Aeronautical Space Administration, retiring in 1971. Lawson was an avid gardener, known for his tomatoes and eggplant; an avid sports fan, in 2003 he returned to East Tennessee, residing at Shannondale in Maryville with his wife, Dorothy. A gracious and humble man, he was dearly loved and he will be greatly missed. Lawson was preceded in death by his Wife of 68 years, Dorothy Wynona Cooper, who passed away December 2008. He is survived by his three children; Linda Sontag of Maryville, Richard Jenkins of Ft. Myers, FL, and William Jenkins of Knoxville; his grandson, Fred Bohlander of Richmond, VA; granddaughter, Emma Jenkins of Marlboro, VT. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, 865-983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of William Lawson Jenkins, Sr. please visit our Sympathy Store.