William "Bill" Capers Greer

William Capers Greer (Bill), 87, of Knoxville passed away peacefully, comfortably and surrounded by people he loved on Thursday, February 29. Born in Knoxville, Tennessee on November 6, 1936, he was the son of Judge John Lawson Greer and Kathleen Zemp Greer.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his brother, John Lawson Greer, Jr. and his sisters, Mary Nell Greer Brownlow Johnson, and Sarah Greer Vestal, and his son-in-law, Bradley Dee White.

Bill graduated high school from Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana and later continued his studies at our very own University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he joined Kappa Sig and earned a degree in business. He was a long-time member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Knoxville, where he also taught Sunday School.

Like many, he loved to watch sports. He was a lifelong fan of the Tennessee Volunteers, especially men’s basketball. But he also loved football, soccer, and auto racing, especially IndyCar and Formula 1. Though he enjoyed soccer in high school, his passion became auto racing in his adulthood. As a long-time member of the SCCA, Sports Car Club of America, he raced automobiles in a variety of classes. He was the national champion in the H-Production Class and had the opportunity to race Formula V at the world renowned Nürburgring located in Nurburg, Germany.

In vocation, he was a businessman and serial entrepreneur. From his family’s co-ownership of Kerns Bakery (Brown and Greer Company) to his co-ownership of Peninsula Hospital, with his childhood friend, Senator Carl Koella, Bill thrived in the pursuit of success in business. Even in retirement, he found an opportunity to create Martin Marine, a powerboat dealership in South Florida. Certainly, he had a keen mind and love for business. In addition, he served as Chairman of Hamilton First National Bank of Clinton, and was President of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.

Bill is survived by his wife of 38 years, Nancy Cooper Greer, who was his friend, his love, his business partner and ultimately his aide. He could ask for no better as she selflessly and painstakingly cared for him all hours of the day and night so he could remain at home until his passing. He is also survived by his four children, Ernest Russell Greer (Janet) of Knoxville; Catharine Greer White (Brad, deceased) of Florence, Alabama; Lawson Greer Duncan (Joe) of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Paige Greer Wardell (Joe) of Knoxville; along with John Christian Goethert (Angie) of Knoxville; and Ian Detrich Goethert (Michelle) of Oak Ridge. He was also survived by a dozen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The family will host a receiving of friends at Berry Highland Memorial, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 5-7pm. There will be a private internment in the days following. Pallbearers are Matthew Duncan, Greer Wardell, Braden White and Preston Wardell. Honorary pallbearers are Walter Fike, Thad Cox and Odgie Oliveira.

The family extends a very special thanks to caregivers, Stephanie Conat and Tim Slater for their incredible love and care for Bill in his last days. What a divine blessing it was to have benefited from their special calling in life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to a favorite charity of Bill’s, Remote Area Medical (RAM).