A longtime businessman, Herman was co-owner of Goddard Guttering, a family business that has served families and businesses throughout East Tennessee for more than 50 years. Through decades of hard work, Herman became a familiar face throughout East Tennessee and built relationships that extended far beyond his business.
Herman was also well known throughout East Tennessee and the dirt-track racing community for a remarkable racing career that spanned more than five decades. Beginning at Broadway Speedway in 1955, Herman went on to earn more than 500 feature wins, including championships at Atomic Speedway in 1972 and Volunteer Speedway in 1990. At 68 years old, he captured his final feature victory at Volunteer Speedway in 2004, though he continued racing until 2010. His accomplishments earned him induction into the Smoky Mountain Speedway Hall of Fame in 1996, the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in 2008, and the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.
Herman was a longtime member of Sevier Heights Baptist Church. His life was centered on his love for God, his family, and those around him, and he was always eager to share his faith with others.
More than any business success, racing victory, or award, Herman will be remembered for the way he loved people. He never met a stranger and was a pillar of the community. It was nearly impossible to walk into a restaurant or store with Herman without running into someone he knew. He had a way of making connections wherever he went, and the friendships he formed over a lifetime stretched throughout Knoxville and far beyond.
Herman is survived by his wife, Judith Ann Goddard; his children, Herman “Butch” Goddard Jr. and wife Donna, Gregory Goddard and wife Angie, and Debra Goddard Nash and husband William “Billy” Nash; his stepchildren, Jill Thompson and husband John; his grandchildren, Brittany Arnold and husband Casey, Rylie Goddard, Shelby Gibson and husband Cambren, Nathan Nash and wife Jennifer, Zachary Nash and wife Kayla, Samuel Thompson, and James Thompson; and his great-grandchildren, Cameron, Caitlin, Flory, Wilkes, Letty, Billy, Grey, and Teagan.
He is also survived by his brothers, Rusty Goddard, Sanford Goddard, and Gilbert Robert “G.R.” Goddard Jr.; and his sisters, Gracie Bruner and Gladys Johnson.
Herman was preceded in death by his first wife, Faye Aileen Goddard; his parents, Gilbert Robert Goddard and Mary Lee Goddard; his brother, Fred Henry Goddard; and his sisters, Julia Ann Gibson and Hazel Marie Smith.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Herman's name to Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC, 28607, or go to www.samaritanspurse.org.
A Visitation will be held Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 4:00 PM until 6:15 PM at Sevier Heights Baptist Church, 3140 Maloney Road, Knoxville, TN 37920, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 6:30 PM, officiated by grandson Zach Nash.
Family and friends will meet at Sherwood Chapel and Memorial Gardens, 3176 Airport Hwy, Alcoa, TN 37701, Friday, September 18, 2026, at 10:45 AM for an 11 AM committal service.
Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the Goddard family at www.berryfuneralhome.com.
