William F. Regas

January 8, 1929 - August 2, 2021

On August 2, 2021 William F. Regas (Poppy) of Knoxville, TN went to be with Jesus. Bill was at home and had been surrounded by family. Born in 1929, Bill was a graduate of Tennessee Military Institute, University of Tennessee, and served in the Korean War. He was a member at Central Baptist Church Bearden. Bill lived his life to glorify God, encourage those around him, and provide excellent hospitality. He valued people, a firm handshake, and the power of gratitude. Bill loved his family, friends & serving as a mentor, pouring inspiration into the whole community. He was committed to the restaurant business his whole life, including Regas Restaurant, Grady’s Goodtimes, Riverside Tavern, and others. He served passionately as the President of the National Restaurant Association in 1980-81 and received numerous honors/recognitions regionally and nationally in the restaurant industry and community for his leadership. He was preceded in death by his mother Edith Rankin, father Frank Regas, wife of twenty-seven years and mother of his children Elizabeth Frost Regas, second wife Anne Dennis Regas, sister Frankie R. Gunnels, brother George Regas and great granddaughter Amelia Schmidt. Family members left with loving memories are daughters Carol Acker (John Acker), Sharon Scott (Stuart Scott), son Grady Regas (Jenny Williams), stepson Dennis Ragsdale (Becky Ragsdale), grandchildren Jonathan Acker (Julie McMurray), Will Acker (Angela Acker), Liz Acker Lacey (John Lacey), Christopher Acker (Anna Acker), Keeli Scott Schmidt (Carl Schmidt), Rachel Scott Marotta (Daniel Marotta), Regas Scott (Christy Scott), AnDe Ragsdale Hale (Taylor Hale), and Jack Ragsdale. Greatgrandchildren Cade Acker, Hayes Acker, Ethan Acker, Campbell Lacey, Liam Lacey, Ryn Lacey, Henry Acker, Ozzie Acker, Teddy Schmidt, Miles Schmidt, June Marotta, Selah Marotta, Wills Marotta, John Marotta, Elsie Scott, Shepard Scott, Ella Blair Hale. Also Jason Williams. The family appreciates the wonderful care given by Grady Regas and Jenny Williams. A celebration of the life of Bill Regas will be held at Central Baptist Bearden at 4:00 PM on Friday August 6th. To leave a memorial tribute go to ForeverMissed.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Knoxville Young Life P.O. Box 647 Knoxville, TN 37901, X Hunger C/o Scarecrow Foundation P.O. Box 11684 Knoxville, TN 37939 or Knoxville Leadership Foundation 318 N. Gay Street Suite 210 Knoxville, TN 37917. Bill's Life story video may be viewed and memorial tributes may be left at ForeverMissed.com. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/RoseMannHeritage.