William Epenetus Howe, Jr.

Attorney William E. Howe, Jr., age 90, passed on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at his home in Sweetwater, Tennessee. Mr. Howe, formerly of Topeka, Kansas, was in private practice of law in Sweetwater for fifty-eight years. During that time, he also served as city attorney for Sweetwater for twenty years, city judge for seven years, attorney for and member of the board of directors of Sweetwater Valley Bank, Executive Director of the Sweetwater Housing Authority and the Housing and Urban Renewal Project of the 1950's and 60's. Mr. Howe was a sixty year member of the Sweetwater Kiwanis Club in which he held several positions, including script writer and performer in the annual 'Kiwanis Kapers' held to benefit The Underprivileged Children's Fund and Boys' and Girls' Work. Mr. Howe was born in Topeka, Kansas, January 22, 1915. He was a 1934 graduate of Topeka High School and a 1937 graduate of Washburn University in Topeka. He came to Tennessee in 1937 and began his study of law with John R. Neal in Knoxville. He was supported in his efforts by his uncle, Judge Sue K. Hicks of Madisonville. 'Bill', as he was known to most, moved to Sweetwater in 1938 and practiced law for a brief time with Harry T. Burn. His first Sweetwater home was the city fire hall where he served as a volunteer fireman (1938-1967). In 1944, he met and married Elizabeth Davis, a registered nurse from Columbia, Tennessee, who was working at Sweetwater Hospital. The couple celebrated their Sixty-First Wedding Anniversary, January 16, 2005. Bill was an Eagle Scout of Troop 2, Topeka, Kansas, 1931, and an officer in one of the first Sea Scout Troops in the U.S.; his scoutmaster and founder of Sea Scout Troop was well-known psychiatrist, Dr. William Menninger. Mr. Howe continued his service in scouting as scoutmaster of a troop in Sweetwater. In his early days in Sweetwater, he served as Representative for the Knoxville Journal and later as area director for the Selective Service Board. Mr. Howe is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Elizabeth Davis Howe, Sweetwater; his sister and brother-in-law, Peggy Howe Paquin and Leo Paquin, of Oak Harbor, Washington; son and daughter-in law, Bill Howe, III and Deborah Howe of Corntassel; daughter and son-in-law, Beth Howe-Christensen and Rick Christensen, of Kingston, Tennessee. Grandchildren: Jay Christensen of Kingston; Michelle Howe Moore of Knoxville; Forest Smiley of Corntassel; and Jessica Smiley-Hedrick and husband, Danny Hedrick of Madisonville. Great-Grandchildren: Justin and Emily Hedrick of Madisonville. The family will receive friends, at Kyker Funeral Home in Sweetwater on Saturday, July 30 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. with funeral services at 2:30 p.m. Rev. Carl Oaks of First United Methodist Church of Sweetwater will officiate. Burial will follow in the Haven Hill Memorial Gardens, Madisonville. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the church or charity of your choice.

William Epenetus Howe, Jr.

July 29, 2005