William K McCord

William Keith McCord, husband, father, lawyer, farmer,  and political consultant passed away peacefully on December 21,2022 at the age of 89. Keith was born on January 29, 1933 in Alamo, Tennessee to Ladd McCord and Allie Mae McCord. Keith graduated from Alamo High School. He then served in the United States Marine Corp, graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (where he lettered in baseball), graduated from Duke Divinity School, and graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law. After finishing his undergraduate degree, Keith married his beloved wife, Peggy Lambert McCord, in 1955. Keith practiced law in East Tennessee for fifty years. Keith was a farmer and outdoorsman until the day he died. Keith was appointed to the Tennessee Board of Regents by Governor Ned Ray McWherter, reappointed by Governor Don Sundquist and served in that capacity for 12 years. Keith also served on the Board of Lincoln Memorial University. Keith and Peggy hosted many events at their treasured family farm in Blount County. They hosted the University of Tennessee Football team during the tenures of Coach Battle, and Coach Fulmer. As a Vol for life, he hosted the University of Tennessee Letterman’s “T” club annual picnic. As a pilot, Keith flew Peggy all over the United States and to their favorite destination, Treasure Cay, Abaco Bahamas. Keith is preceded in death by his father and mother, Ladd and Allie Mae McCord and brother, Gerald McCord. He is survived by his cherished wife of 67 years, Peggy Lambert McCord; sons, William Keith McCord Jr. (Amy), David Lambert McCord (Iris), John Ladd McCord (Kenda), and Joseph Allen McCord (Jules); grandchildren Leah, Meg, Mac, John, Caitlin, Morgan, Jason, Reid, Clay, James, and Abigail; and great-grandchildren Addy, Walker, Tucker, and Tristan.

The family requests that any memorials be in the form of donations toward the William Keith McCord Scholarship at Pellissippi State Community College. A gathering of friends will be held on January 12, 2023 from 5 – 7:30pm at the Smith Life Event Center. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com