William Earle Kolbe

William Earle Kolbe, age 95, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 1, 2012. He will be greatly missed by his two daughters, Karen and Alice Kolbe, to whom he was always a loving and devoted father. Earle is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Nell Burns of Knoxville, Tennessee and Mrs. Charlotte Burns of Greeneville, Tennessee and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Mae Burns Kolbe. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Annie Barras Kolbe and William Dietrich Kolbe, and his siblings, John Lewis Kolbe, William Dietrich Kolbe, Jr., Robert Morgan Kolbe, Francis Howard Kolbe, Ethel Kolbe Rowbotham, and their spouses. Earle was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and grew up in New Jersey. During World War II he served his country in the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. In 1946 he moved to Blount County and was active in the community over many years, serving on the Civil Defense Committee, the Kiwanis Club, and the Zoning Board. He was a civil engineer retired from APAC Harrison Construction Company. A long-time member of First Baptist Church of Maryville, he served for many years as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and member of other committees. Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him. I Corinthians 2:9. The family would like to thank all those who have cared for him, prayed for him, and actively expressed their love and concern. In particular, words are not adequate to express our gratitude to his caregivers over the last two years. God bless you. The family will receive friends from 1-2:00 p.m. Sunday in McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home Chapel, Maryville. The service will begin at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Charles Ballard officiating. The interment will follow in Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Knox Area Rescue Ministries, 418 N. Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917. McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville 982-6812