William Barry Burton, 77, Jonesborough, passed away surrounded by his loving family, on Monday, December 30, 2024, at his residence, following a brief illness.

Barry was a native of Jefferson City and a son of the late William Henry and Helen Gass Burton.

He was a 1965 graduate of Jefferson County High School and later received a bachelor's degree from Carson-Newman College, then a master’s degree from Tusculum College.

Barry formerly worked as a Manufacturing Engineer at Berkline in Morristown and BASF in Lowland.

His passion was Scuba Diving, and he became so experienced that he had over 11,000 logged diving hours. Barry was a Pioneer in this area, and in 1980, opened Smoky Mountain Divers, Inc., where he was the owner, operator, and primary instructor for the past forty-five years.

Over the years he had served on adjunct faculty at Carson Newman College, Tusculum College, Walter State Community College and East Tennessee State University. He was still on adjunct faculty staff at East Tennessee State University at the time of his death.

Throughout his life, Barry has traveled the world to dive, and his favorite locations to do so were Bonaire and Truk Lagoon.

He was heavily involved with the Boy Scouts of America, beginning as a young man being a scout himself, and later as a scout leader, guiding both of his sons to become Eagle Scouts.

Barry is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn Seybold Burton; three children, Mary Helen Hitson and husband Brian, Clinton, William Carter Burton and wife Amelia, Tampa, FL, William Zachary Burton and wife Lisa, Johnson City; seven grandchildren, Sophie and Romy Hitson, Isaac and Taylor Burton, Gabriel, Millicent, and Brielle Burton; one brother, Steve Burton and wife Darlene, Jefferson City; nieces and nephews.

A casual celebration of life will be held January 18, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Grace Fellowship Church, 2314 South Greenwood Drive, Johnson City, TN 37604.

While your generosity is greatly appreciated, the family kindly requests no flowers. Contributions to his grandchildren's college fund in memory of Barry would be greatly appreciated. 

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