Charles Eugene Hathaway

Charles Eugene Hathaway, age 96 of Knoxville,TN. passed away June 5, 2019, peacefully at home after a brief illness. After serving 41 years as a construction engineer with TVA, he continued to work as a volunteer at Johnson University (Johnson Bible College) and at his church. He was a member of Dashiell Masonic Lodge #238 of Elizabethton, TN, American Legion Post #0002. A WWII Navy Seabee Veteran, he served from 1942-1946 on Attu and Okinawa. He was a member of Woodlawn Christian Church for 54 years, serving as an elder, trustee, Bible bowl sponsor, youth sponsor, choir member and building committee member. He has helped build churches in Morristown, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Zambia, Haiti and Jamaica. He started the "Thursday Crew" at Woodlawn Christian Church consisting of retired men who volunteered to do various projects at the church and helping those in need at their homes. His witness and volunteer service at Woodlawn resulted in establishment of the "Charles and Marie Hathaway Service Award" which is given annually to recognize members of the church who typified his service. The Johnson University Alumni Association gave him the Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding service to the church in every city where he lived. He is also an Honorary Alumnus of Johnson University.

Preceded in death by parents, Robert and Nola Hathaway; 5 brothers and 1 sister. He is survived by wife of 73 years, Marie Johnson Hathaway; daughters Carole Bolling (Bill) of Knoxville, Sharon Ford of Terre Haute Indiana, and Debbie Smith (Tommy) of Knoxville. There are 8 grandchildren: Dawn Bolling, Knoxville, TN; Aaron (Melissa) Ford, Lafayette, GA; Adam (Samara) Bolling, Johnson City, TN; Caleb (Laura) Ford, Panama City Beach, FL; Isaac (Erin) Ford, Terre Haute, IN; Jacob (Taylor) Smith, Knoxville; Joshua (Jennifer) Smith, Knoxville and Joe Micah (Talisha) Ford, Terre Haute, IN and 18 great-grandchildren. He has 1 surviving sister, Lois Mckinney of Hampton, TN, and three sisters-in-law, Ruth Hathaway, Melbourne, FL; Doris Hathaway, Elizabethton, TN; Carolyn Hathaway, Johnson City, TN, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 9, at Woodlawn Christian Church, Knoxville, with Dean Davis and Tommy Smith officiating. Family will receive friends from 3-5 pm with the service following. Interment will be Monday, June 10, at 9:30 am at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on John Sevier Highway. Dwayne Curry, minister of Woodlawn, will officiate at the graveside service, along with full military honors.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorials/donations be made to Woodlawn Christian Church, 4339 Woodlawn Pike, Knoxville, TN 37920 or Johnson University, 7900 Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37998. Special thanks to Caris Healthcare of Tennessee and to the families of Woodlawn Christian Church and Johnson University.