William M. “Merle” Grindstaff, 90, joined the Heavenly Host on Monday, February 13, 2017, after an extended illness. Born February 8, 1927 he was the only son of William Rosco and Corda Greenlee Grindstaff. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Garnett Moody.
Survivors include two sisters, Barbara Jean Hobson and Patricia Crowder, both of Johnson City; niece, Beverly Britton; seven nephews, Mike Grindstaff, Roswell, Marvin and Travis Moody, Steve, Jeff and David Crowder; special caregiver, Helen “Dixie” Grindstaff; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Merle was a lifelong member of Sinking Creek Baptist Church. He was a charter member of the Central Volunteer Fire Department and after 44 years he retired from North American Rayon Corporation. Having grown up during the Great Depression and serving in the U.S. Army during WWII, he saw the hard and difficult times of his generation, from which his ethic for hard work and penchant for savings was developed.
He grew up working on the farm; gardening and caring for the horses that tended the land alongside him. In the spirit of sharing, he enjoyed giving most of the crops of his garden to those in the Central community.
Merle enjoyed spending time and sharing stories with his special friends, Larry Honeycutt, Pat Smith, Frankie Williams, Roman Holtsclaw, Norman Rowe, Roger Banks, Roy Gene Bailey, Bill Carter, Mike Depriest, Jerry Pearman, Gene Graybeal and many others.
The family will receive friends on Friday, February 17, at Morris-Baker Funeral Home from noon until 1:30 p.m. with a memorial service at 1:30 p.m. in the Oak Chapel under the direction of Rev. Garry Edwards. A committal service will follow at Monte Vista Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Memorials may be made to: Central Volunteer Fire Department, Hopson Road, Johnson City, TN 37601 or Sinking Creek Baptist Church, 2313 Elizabethton Highway, Johnson City, TN 37601. Memories and condolences may be shared via: www.morrisbaker.com.
Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 E. Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, (423) 282-1521, is serving the Grindstaff family.