William Eugene (Gene) Clift

William Eugene (Gene) Clift, Age 83 of Knoxville went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, December 16, 2020. Gene was a graduate of Fulton High School. He was a member of Fairview Baptist Church for 50+ years where he enjoyed making coffee and greeting everyone. He spent many hours visiting the homebound and those in the hospital. His service in the Civil Air Patrol was one of his favorite memories including a trip to Sweden. He served in the Army in Germany as a communications specialist. He loved to tell of the many places he and wife, Sonia, visited during their time in the service. He worked at SpinLab, Y-12 and Tucker Steel but spent most of his career as an electrical design engineer at TVA. He later worked with Parsons Power and Gilbert Commonwealth. Gene was preceded in death by his wife Sonia Wise Clift and infant son William Douglas Clift; father, Oather Ivan Clift and mother, Elsie Esslinger Clift; brothers, Paul (Anita) Clift and Bob (Jane) Clift. He is survived by sons Jeff Clift and Chris (Lora) Clift; daughter Penny (Eddie) Maples; beloved grandchildren, for whom he had special nicknames: Amanda Clift - Snicklefritz, Kayla (Salvador) Piña - Honey Pot, Emma Clift-Shatze, Eli Clift-Heckle and Gabe Clift-Jeckle; great niece Ella Cox-sweet little girl. Special thanks to U.T. Hospice and Home Helpers for their care and assistance. Convenience visitation will be held from 11 am to 5 pm Sunday, December 20, 2020 at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home, 2300 Adair Dr. Family will gather Monday, December 21, 2020 to process from Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home at 10:30 for an 11:00 am graveside service at Lynnhurst Cemetery. Rev. Wayne Davis will officiate. Pallbearers will be Chris Clift, Eddie Maples, Salvador Piña and Doug Esslinger. Condolences may be offered at www.berrylynnhurst.com