William Gaines “Bill” Fogarty Sr., age 95, of Farragut, passed away peacefully April 11 in his home.
Mr. Fogarty, who was born Aug. 11, 1926, was a faithful member of St. John Neumann Church. He attended Central High School in Knoxville before being inducted into the U.S. Army in the fall of 1944, serving as a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division in World War II. After proudly serving his country, Mr. Fogarty attended Maryville College, where he played football.
Mr. Fogarty is preceded in death by his devoted wife of 50 years, Peggy Lawson Fogarty, and their daughter, Nancy Fogarty, of Charlotte, N.C.; parents, John Fogarty Sr. and Grace Fogarty; brothers, John Fogarty Jr. and Fred Fogarty; sisters, Mary Fogarty Cooper, Margaret Fogarty Beaty, and Joanne Fogarty Hohenberg.
Surviving to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 20 years, Shirley McWilliams Sanders Fogarty; Bill’s and Peggy’s children, Jackie Fogarty Corbett, and husband Bill, of Charlotte; William “Bill” Fogarty Jr. and wife Trish, of Maryville; Cindy Fogarty Maxfeldt, of Knoxville; grandchildren; Kristen Corbett Hucks and husband Matt; Brooke Fogarty Montjoy and husband Jack; and Austin Fogarty; four great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Fogarty officiated high school football for over 20 years until he retired in 1971 to watch his son play high school football. He became an avid golfer, and he continued playing into his 90s.
Mr. Fogarty started his career in the clothing business in the late 1940s. In 1979, he opened Bill Fogarty’s Men’s Fashions along with son Bill Jr. in downtown Knoxville.
A funeral Mass was held on April 22 at St. John Neumann Church, with Father Joe Frowin Reed serving as celebrant. Interment was in Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on Lyons View Pike in Knoxville with full military honors by the U.S. Army and Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard. Memorials and donations in Mr. Fogarty’s honor may be made to St. John Neumann Church in Farragut or a charity of your choice.
