William Lloyd Valentine

William Lloyd Valentine, age 77, passed away November 26, 2020, with his family at his side at home in his log cabin he built in Townsend, Tennessee. Lloyd was a loving son, husband, father, brother and uncle. He had dear friends who were like family to him and was a good neighbor who always lent a helping hand. He had a great sense of humor and could tell a joke or story like no other. Lloyd graduated from ETSU with a Bachelor of Science in Education and from LMU with a Master of Education. He started his teaching career at Underwood in Kodak where he met his wife, Rachel, and then taught the remainder of his career in Blount County at Walland, Forest Hill, and Montvale. He retired from teaching and coaching basketball 25 years ago, but the lasting impact he made on his students was evident with the outpouring of love and memories his former students shared as he fought his courageous battle with cancer. Lloyd was a humble mountain man who felt the most at home in the beautiful Smoky Mountains. He loved Mother Nature with a passion that only those of us who share that love can understand. For Lloyd, God lived in the Great Outdoors. Whether he was fishing, hunting, caring for his honeybees, rescuing orphaned wild animals, walking or just sitting on a stump looking out across God’s wonderous creation, this was where he felt at one with his Creator. He will be missed by those of us lucky enough to have known him but will not be forgotten. Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents, Sanberry and Mae Valentine; sister, Marie Nicely; brothers Garrel, Ernest, Sam and JR; nephews Jack Valentine and Randy Nicely; brother-in-laws, LeeRoy Manning, Cliff Hutchison, L.C. Nicely, Mike Smith, Walt Russell; Lloyd is survived by his wife of 52 years, Rachel, and his daughter, Maria Edwards and son-in-law, Steve. Other survivors include his brother, David Valentine; sisters, Becky Manning, Avie Hutchison, Von Smith, Verna Russell, Roxanna Williams (Dennis); brother-in-law Tom Finger (Jamie); nieces and nephews, Mike Valentine, Janet Chambers, Becky, Tammy, Michael Valentine, Debbie Merritt, Sharon Manning, Doug Manning, Andi McEntire, Scott Hutchison, Will Smith, Amy Elnasseh, Cliff Russell, Sandy Luciano, Heath Valentine, Laura Valentine, Katie Williams, Michael Finger, Laura Finger, Marie Scott; uncle, Frank Lindsey; aunt, Dorothy Bohanan; many cousins and extended family. In lieu of flowers, please donate in honor of Lloyd to your local animal shelters and animal rescues. Due to Covid, a memorial has been created for Lloyd at www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. Please feel free to share any memories and photos to his obituary on the website. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of William Lloyd Valentine please visit our Sympathy Store.