William “Carson” Pharris, age 88, of Crossville, went home to be with Jesus on January 14, 2023.  He was a loyal and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend.

Known to some as Billy during his childhood and later as Carson, he was born in a barn at the Homesteads on October 21, 1934, to Andy Carson and Zulah Beatrice ‘Bea’ (Brotherton) Pharris, original Homesteaders of Cumberland County.  He was the oldest of three children.  When Carson was a baby, his cradle was the dresser drawer while the house was being built.  He attended Homestead Tower School throughout elementary, junior, and senior high.  During his elementary years, he would ride horseback to grind grain or trade crops with others in the county. Carson also helped his parents and grandparents on the farm by mending fences, milking cows, doing general chores, or playing with skunks. He was also a lifeguard at the Cumberland State Park. After high school, he attended Tennessee Tech University.  In 1958, he married the love of his life, Doris Bradbury. He said she was his perfect match, including her height, so he could rest his chin on her head.  They had four children and raised them spending time with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

Outside of family, Carson’s love was bowling. He lived at Plateau Lanes and was a bowler since the Lanes construction in 1961. He was a former president of the Bowling Association and held several city bowling titles and championships. In 1996, Carson bowled a perfect 300 and was inducted into the Crossville Bowling Association Hall of Fame on April 13, 2003. Carson toted his family all over the country through the years, competing in numerous bowling tournaments. Besides bowling, Carson could be found watching John Wayne westerns, NASCAR, and any sport, especially football (go Vols!).  He filled his days with bird watching, planting flowers, working on puzzles, painting beautiful landscapes, and other artwork.  The legacy Carson leaves behind is love for family and how to treat and care for loved ones.

Carson was so loved by so many and will be greatly missed.

Carson was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Earl Pharris Sr, and parents Carson and Beatrice Pharris.  He is survived by his wife of 64 and a half years, Doris Ann Pharris of Crossville, daughter Pamela Geiger (James) of Friendsville, TN, son Samuel Brett Pharris (Brenda) of Crossville, TN, son Carson Brad Pharris (Julie) of Powell, TN, and Andy Bruce Pharris (Leanna) of Johnson City, TN, sister Jo Ann Feder (Gerald) of Highlands Ranch, CO, and six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren with one on the way, and numerous treasured family members.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, January 23, 2023, at Hood Funeral Home in Crossville. Visitation begins at 11 am, service at 1 pm, with burial following at the Crossville City Cemetery.