William "Bill" Gordon Phelps Sr.

William "Bill" Gordon Phelps, Sr., of Powell, TN died October 14, 2025 at the Ben Atchley Tennessee State Veterans Home. He was a graduate of West High School, Knoxville; and Park College, Kansas City, Missouri. He served 20 years in the United States Air Force and 22 years with the Department of Energy and its predecessor agencies, the AEC and ERDA in Oak Ridge, retiring in 1996 as Director of the Safeguards and Security Division.

Bill is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, William G. Phelps, Jr., and his wife Sally Phelps, of Powell, TN; daughter Pamela Ann Rogers; grandson William Jason Phelps and wife Brandyn, of Auburn, Washington; granddaughter Linsey Noel Vanover; seven great grandchildren; Mason, Jaydn, Ellisia, Makayla, Aidyn, Maggie, and Ellie; and sister Mary Morris.

A brief visitation with family and friends will be held in the chapel at Berry Highland Memorial Funeral Home, 5315 Kingston Pike, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 11am with a funeral service to follow at noon. Graveside service and interment to follow at 1pm. Bill will be laid to rest alongside the love of his life, Carol Dawne Estes.