Henry Alton Stigall

Henry Alton Stigall of Knoxville, age 95, passed away on Friday, June 2, 2023. Al was born in Memphis, TN where he and his beloved wife, Beverly, grew up during the 1930's and 1940's surrounded by family and friends. He served in the United States Merchant Marines during World War II, the United States Marine Corp. Reserves and the 11th Airborne Division of the United States Army. As a paratrooper and radio operator, Al was stationed in Jamachi, Japan during the occupation immediately following WWII. Following his service in the Army, Al enrolled at Mississippi State College where he played football and studied Business Administration. After college, Al enjoyed a long and successful career in the financial services industry first with Seaboard Finance Company for 21 years (Memphis, Ft. Myers, FL and Knoxville) and then the mortgage loan business for 34 years (Memphis, Knoxville and Morristown). Helping families buy a new home and live the "American Dream" was his passion and the highlight of his career. Al ended his career with Union Planters Bank of East Tennessee where he was responsible for Mortgage Lending, Technology, Security & Banking Center Maintenance. Following his retirement, Al's strong work ethic led him to start his own business, Stigall Bank Services, where he performed home inspections and automobile floorplan inventory management for numerous commercial banks around the greater Knoxville area. Al was a member of Fountain City United Methodist Church and the Christian Homebuilders Sunday School class. He was also a member of the Kerbela Shrine Temple where he performed as "Big Al" the clown for the Shriner's Circus and volunteered by driving young patients and burn victims to the Shriners Hospitals in Lexington, KY and Cincinnati, OH. As a young man, Al had a passion for sports and actively competed in football, basketball, track, golf, tarpon fishing, rabbit hunting, square dancing, camping and the YMCA Indian Guides ("Walking Buffalo"). In later years, Al loved taking his family to the beach for vacations and travelling out west with Beverly to the National Parks in the U.S and Canada. Recently Al has spent many days in his "John Wayne Room" with friends and family solving the "problems of the world" while smoking a fine cigar listening to special music from some of his favorites - Harry James, Jimmy & Tommy Dorsey, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Alan Jackson and old church hymns by various artists. Al was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Beverly Stigall, his parents, Henry and Lucille Stigall; his sister Peggy Lindley; and his son-in-law Wesley Mitchell. He is survived and will be greatly missed by sister, Betty Weisner; daughter Carole Mitchell; son, Rob Stigall and wife Melanie; grandchildren, Charlie Mitchell and wife Katie; Jason Stigall and wife Hannah; Adam Stigall and wife Rachel; Avery Stigall; and Anastasia Mitchell; and great-granddaughter Hazel Stigall. The family will receive friends from 12-1 PM, Saturday June 10, 2023, at Fountain City United Methodist Church with the funeral service to follow. The Reverend Don Hanshew will officiate. Interment will be at Highland Memorial Cemetery on Sutherland Avenue, immediately after the funeral service. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Shriners Hospitals at LoveShriners.org or to Fountain City United Methodist Church. Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel and Crematory is honored to serve the Stigall family. Condolences may be left for the family at www.gentrygriffey.com.

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