Willard Quentin Gulley

Gulley, Willard Quentin, age 92, of Knoxville, passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at home. He was the son of the late William Calvin (Will) and Etta Elizabeth Berry Gulley. He was born at his parents’ home on July 27, 1918, and lived most of his childhood in Bulls Gap, TN where he graduated from Rogersville High School. As a UT chemical engineering student doing a Co-op experience with DuPont in Old Hickory, TN he met a local girl named Mazelle (Madge) Holleman. He and Madge married in 1940. After graduating from UT, Quentin worked initially for DuPont in the munitions industry and later worked on the Manhattan Project at X-10 in Oak Ridge. He was co-founder of Vinylex Corporation and later helped start Extron (later renamed Plexco) and Everwarm Corporations. His major interests included family, business, Republican politics, and the nature outside his lakeside home. He was a finance chairman for Winfield Dunn’s successful 1971 gubernatorial campaign and later was awarded a Tennessee Colonel designation. He was preceded in death by his wife¸ Madge Holleman Gulley; his parents, his brother W.C. (Bill) Gulley Jr., and his sister Mildred Irene Gulley. Survivors include his son, John Q. Gulley (Betty C.), and daughter Jeannie Bowers (Tom Johnson), all of Knoxville. He is also survived by sisters, Juanita G. Talbott and Maxine G. Towns, both of Knoxville; brother, J. B. Gulley (Marie) of Morristown; sister-in-law, Wilma Youngblood of Manchester, TN; grandsons, Dr. David Q. Gulley, of Augusta, GA and Jonathan A. Bowers, of Elizabethton, TN; granddaughters, Deloris G. Hobson (Grant A.) of Charlotte, NC and Katie B. Harmon (Terry) of Tallahassee, FL; great-grandsons James A. Hobson and Ryan J. Harmon. Nieces and nephews include Judy Powell of Knoxville, James Gulley of Orlando, FL, Karen Jennings of Signal Mountain, Pat Goode of Germantown, Susan Robertson of Nashville, Bill Youngblood of Harrison, AR, Cheryl Schmaeman of Lafayette, TN, and Angie Woods of Aurora, CO; also, beloved caregivers, Betty Latham, Lee Ann Berry, Robin Watson, and Carla Cook. We extend special appreciation to Linda Latham of Covenant Hospice, and Tom Rayford, Hospice chaplain. Receiving of friends will be Sunday, May 15, 4-6 PM with the funeral to follow at 6 PM, at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel, Knoxville, TN, with Dr. Tom Rayford officiating. Friends and family will gather on Monday, May 16 at 10:45 AM at the gate of Highland Memorial Cemetery, Knoxville, TN for an 11 AM interment service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel, Knoxville, TN. Online condolences may be made at www.rosemortuary.com

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Willard Quentin Gulley

July 27, 1918 - May 11, 2011