William "Bill" Seymour Barnes, aged 90, of Rickman Tennessee, passed peacefully from this life on April 17, 2025 after a fulfilling life as a husband, father and friend. He was born the middle child of 11 siblings to Charles Allen and Mary Emma Barnes on April 15, 1935 in Mayland, TN.  William grew up on the family Angus farm atop Rock Crusher Mountain in Livingston Tennessee. Here, he developed his lifelong love of nature, farming and the outdoors.  After graduating from Livingston Academy in 1953, he moved to Swannanoa, North Carolina to attend Warren Wilson College where students were both scholars and workers who contributed to the university farm that sustained the school. William completed his studies in 1955 with a degree in Botany that expanded his already extensive knowledge and fascination with the world of plants and horticulture. He next enlisted in the United States Army where he served honorably and was trained as a medical technician, gaining experience in the operating room, clinical laboratory and x-ray room. While stationed in Germany, he was able to explore Europe and learned about its various cultures and history firsthand.

He returned stateside and explored his home country as well, from manning a fire tower in the mountains of California to processing grains with the Central Soya company in Indianapolis, Indiana. Despite these travels and stints away, he was always drawn back to his hometown of Livingston. It was here that he met and married the love of his life, Betty Louise Hill in 1965. Together, they moved to Brasstown, North Carolina where William applied his skills to managing the dairy of the John C. Cambell folk school. Beyond his work at the school, he was also a student who became a gifted wood carver and rockhound. While living in North Carolina, William and Betty welcomed their first son, Paul, and shortly returned to raise their family in Livingston. He began what would be his career at the Twin Lakes Telephone company just before the historic tornado outbreak of 1974. After this intense beginning, he would go on to work with the company in various roles until his retirement. During this time, William and Betty settled in their home of 20 years in Livingston and welcomed their second son, Chris in 1976. Having been a lifelong Christian, William became a member of the Livingston Church of Christ and emersed himself in serving the Church and living the life of a child of God.

After retirement, William moved to Rickman, Tennessee realizing his dream of owning and operating his own farm at various times raising cattle, sheep, appaloosa horses and rabbits. Bill remained an active member of his community and church, and pursued his passion for farming, gardening and woodworking.  He enjoyed teaching anyone who would listen about all the interesting techniques, tips and craftmanship that he learned over his years, along with sharing the word of God which he knew to be the most important part of life. The common threads that ran through the life of William Seymour Barnes consisted of life-long friends, loving family, an indelible love and curiosity for the natural world around him and a love of God.

He is survived by his wife Betty; their two sons, Anthony Paul (Gina) of Cookeville and Christopher Ross (Lindsay) of Rickman; two grandchildren, Bonnie Katherine and Baylor Ross; five sisters, Genevieve Rice, Joyce Fields, Sue Moss, Sharon Sparks, and Wanda Krack; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings, Mary Francis Crabtree, Dolan Barnes, Anna Jane Carr, Jean Huddleston and John Barnes.

Funeral services will be held Monday, April 21, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the West End Church of Christ in Livingston, with Kerry Duke officiating and interment to follow in the Netherland Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Monday, April 21, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. until time for the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to West End Church of Christ, Livingston, TN.