William "Bill" Whitfield Hurt

William “Bill” Whitfield Hurt, 89, of Knoxville, Tennessee went Home to be with Christ on August 5, 2025. He was born along with his twin brother Robert on October 27, 1935 to Cecil and Eunice Hurt of Chattanooga. Bill was a graduate of Chattanooga High School, where he held leadership positions and received distinguished awards, graduating as the Salutatorian of the class of 1954. Bill went on to earn a BS degree in Engineering from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a Master's Degree in Engineering from the University of Florida. While at the University of Tennessee, Bill served as the president of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and was tapped for multiple honor societies for his academic achievements. Upon graduating Bill was commissioned as a Regular U.S. Army Officer, eventually retiring with the rank of Captain after a dozen years of reserve and active duty service. In November of 1959, Bill married his college sweetheart Mary Eleanor Plunkett. The couple moved to Orlando, Florida, where they started their family, raising three children while Bill pursued a career with Martin Marietta Aerospace (now Lockheed Martin). He served in several senior positions in a number of large classified military and space programs and was recognized for his achievements with further awards and honors. His last project was as Director of the Longbow Program for the Apache helicopter. A lifelong lover of academia and learning, Bill took early retirement from Martin Marietta in 1991 to become the President of Montreat College, a small Presbyterian college in Montreat, North Carolina. During his presidency, Montreat College established the School of Adult and Graduate Studies, which helped boost enrollment, built the campus Chapel of the Prodigal, and acquired the large ‘In The Oaks’ property which provided space for the College’s athletics and future growth. A truly humble man, Mary Eleanor used to say she had to brag on Bill because he would never boast about himself. Coming full circle, Bill and Mary Eleanor retired to Knoxville, where they had first met, and built their dream home. They spent many more happy years with family and friends, while also traveling extensively all over the world. A true renaissance man, though an aerospace engineer by trade, Bill was also a great lover of books, classical music and the humanities, a Christian art historian, playwright, and talented woodworker. Bill could often be found at home in his workshop, where he built furniture and crafted beautiful woodcarvings. He also enjoyed Rotary, UT sports, and serving on the board of the Clarence Brown Theatre for several years in Knoxville. Often described by friends and associates as “such a fine man”, Bill was esteemed for his great intellect, character, and integrity. A godly man who quietly and honestly lived out his faith throughout his life, Bill served for decades as an elder and teacher of the Expanders adult Sunday school class at First Presbyterian Church, Orlando. During later years in Knoxville at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church, many there also enjoyed his adult Sunday school class and his teachings on Christ in the Fine Arts. Bill was preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 65 years, Mary Eleanor. He is survived by his three children, Maury (Margaret) Hurt, David (Amy Medley) Hurt, and Amy (Fred) Trainer, his five grandchildren, William, Charlie, Mary Margaret, Bela and Whit, and lifelong family friend Cheryl Ingle MacLeish of Orlando. As Bill himself said, “Life is good, and God is great!” There will be a memorial service celebrating Bill Hurt’s life at 10am on Saturday, Aug 30th, at Rose Funeral and Cremation - Mann 6200 Kingston Pike. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rosefuneraltn.com

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William "Bill" Whitfield Hurt

October 27, 1935 - August 5, 2025