Walter "Walt" Lee Stinnett, Sr.

Walter “Walt” Lee Stinnett, Sr. of Maryville went home to Jesus on December 24, 2020. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 65 years, Ruth. Walt was a generous, strong, mischievous, and joyful man who loved life and was loved by everyone he knew. He was adored by his family, who miss him greatly. Walt grew up in Miser Station in Friendsville, and remained closely connected to that community throughout his life, building a cabin on the family farm that he enjoyed visiting on weekends and holidays. He was a member of Zion Chapel Baptist Church, Past Master and 32nd Degree Mason with George Washington Masonic Lodge #181 F&AM, and volunteered at the Louisville Christian Assistance Center. Walt and Ruth started Stinnett’s Auto Body in 1965, which they built from the ground up and proudly still operates as a third-generation family business. He was known for his strong work ethic, innate business sense, integrity with which he served customers, and generosity in helping those in need. Walt loved to travel with his wife Ruth and their siblings, seeing much of the United States. He enjoyed playing cards with friends, driving his tractor and Kubota ATV, caring for the cows (especially Babe), driving the wrecker, and had an encyclopedic knowledge of cars from the decades he spent repairing them. Walt is preceded in death by his son Rocky Stinnett; parents, John and Verdie Sands Stinnett; brothers, Lloyd (Mary), Jack (Helen), Carl (Joyce), baby brother Buddy; Robert, Dan (Ellen), and Jack Jackson.

Survivors include Ruth Stinnett; children Sandy King, and Lee Stinnett (Janine); grandchildren Mandy Adkins (Josh), Katie Stinnett (Jeff Hooper), Matt King (Rachel), Julie Harris (Kyle), Amy King, and Zach Stinnett (Tiffany); great-grandchildren Luke, Gabe, and Eli Adkins; Liesel and Tully King; Riley, Zoe, Rocky, and Bo Harris; Caroline Ruth Stinnett; beloved sister Mary Robbins; sisters-in-law Sharon Stinnett, Wanda Jackson, and Mildred Kirby; brother-in-law Frank Hipps (Carol); several nieces, nephews and close friends. The family extends their deep gratitude to niece Sue Johnson for the way she loved and cared for Walt, compassionate caregivers from First Light Home Care, and the incredible 4 North nursing team at Blount Memorial Hospital.

The family will have a private graveside service at Grandview Cemetery, Rev. Jim Malone officiating. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled for later this Spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the church he was a member of and loved like family, Zion Chapel Baptist Church, 3334 Zion Chapel Road, Louisville, TN 37777.