| Sources |
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 15 Jan 2002.
Thelma King Maples obituary
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 13 May 2005.
By: J.J. KINDRED
Staff Writer May 13, 2005
PIGEON FORGE - Bill Maples will now have to get used to being called a former commissioner and vice mayor, but says he has no problem with that label.
Maples was defeated in Tuesday's election by incumbent Joyce Brackins and challengers Kevin McClure and Howard W. Reagan. They will be sworn in next month. Maples finished 11 votes out of third place and another four-year term.
As he reflected on his 20 years in office a day after the election, Maples expressed no bitterness and said he was at peace with the voters' decision.
"I had a hard time deciding whether to run again," said Maples from the Comfort Inn in Pigeon Forge, where he is an owner and partner. "I prayed about it and I talked to a lot of people. I decided to go ahead and run because of several important issues in the city of Pigeon Forge.
"I had mixed emotions and asked myself what I am doing this for," he said. "I prepared myself for anything that could happen during this election. Am I disappointed? Yes. We had a 27 percent turnout for voters - not that the results would have been different."
Maples said after the results were announced, he felt a calmness and peace, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
"I just went home and I thanked the Lord," said Maples. "I love this city and I love this community, and I want to be a supportive citizen."
McClure was the top vote getter with 567, followed by Reagan with 503, Brackins at 455, Maples with 444, Tim Trentham 211, John Mayberry 142 and Jay Patel 60.
Maples said one of the things that stood out during his time in office was the transformation of the old Silver Dollar City amusement park to Dollywood in 1984.
"I point to that opportunity to work with the city council, Dolly Parton and Ted Miller to bring Dollywood here," said Maples. "There are lots of issues I would have liked to worked on. There are existing new developments scheduled for completion, and proposed new developments, similar to Dollywood."
Maples said he has plenty of things to keep him busy now.
"I'm very active with the hotel properties and the Sevier County Utility District," said Maples. "I'm also on the Health Educational Board, with the Sevier County Public Building Authority and the Education Board. I'll also spend more time with (my wife) Dot, my kids and grandkids, and play more golf with the fellas."
Maples also reiterated the support he has gotten from the community.
"I have been re-elected six times in the past," he said. "The community has been very supportive of myself with the commission I have served with. This is a great community with great citizens that are concerned for their community. I feel like its a blessing to live in this community.
Maples also praised the efforts of City Manager Earlene Teaster.
"Earlene is one of the most dedicated Christian women and city managers I have ever worked with," said Maples. "She has the city's priorities well at hand. She is a compliment to the staff for her creativity and a positive impact for the city."
Maples reflects on 20 years in office
- [S75] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume II, 1955-1973, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 29 Dec 1971.
Arthur John Oakley obituary
- [S76] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume III, 1974-1986, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 24 Feb 1982.
Blanche McCarter Oakley obituary
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 23 May 2008.
Bill Maples remembered for service to community
PIGEON FORGE - There's no question that Bill Maples, 70, a former member of the Pigeon City Council for over 26 years and member of the Sevier County Utility District, will be missed.
Maples was described as a true public servant who gave 110 percent to the city of Pigeon Forge.
During his service to the city, he served as Pigeon Forge city mayor for about two years. He played a large role in projects such as the construction of the water plant, library, and community center, according to Earlene Teaster, city manager.
He began his service with the city in the early 1980s around the time the World's Fair was in Knoxville. Pigeon Forge was in its developing stages and the city began to market and build itself up.
Maples also played a role in the development of the public transportation system and expansion of the wastewater treatment facility.
"His role in the early development of our city was very instrumental in getting us where we are today," Teaster said.
"Bill was a very good friend and excellent city official. It's just a terrible loss to the city and the entire county. He was always working behind the scenes and he always got business people and the residents behind what he was doing because he realized we're a family and that we needed to work together for the good of Pigeon Forge," Teaster said.
"He served through some critical times for the city as it decided where it would go in the future," she continued.
Not only did Maples serve Pigeon Forge, he served Sevier County as well. County Mayor Larry Waters said he will be sorely missed.
"Obviously the county has lost one of its greatest leaders. Bill was a leader in this community for many years. He always supported and worked tirelessly for anything that would help the people of Sevier County," Waters said.
While working in Sevier County, Maples served on the county's Public Building Authority, Economic Development Council, Industrial Development Board, and the Health Facilities Board.
"He was like a second father to me, someone I have always looked up to, a mentor," Kevin McClure, vice-mayor for the city said. McClure said he has known Maples his whole life, growing up in the small town and attending church with him.
"I remember sitting around with a friend of mine, Greg Patterson and Bill out at Tellico Lake fishing. We (Patterson and McClure) were young and just started working with the ambulance service, and Bill started asking which of us had lost the most patients," McClure said.
"I told him that I lost the most, while Greg said he lost less, so Bill said 'well, I think I'd rather have Greg save me in an emergency over you,' we all got a big laugh out of that," McClure said of a memorable moment with Maples.
Former Pigeon Forge Mayor Ralph Chance served 20 years on the city council with Maples and said that he was a better mayor because of he was able to work alongside him.
"He was not only a great Christian friend, but he loved the city, where he made a positive impact on its growth. He never made a move without having all the facts and figures," Chance said.
"He was really a true friend to me and the city council and I am thankful for my service with him," he said.
Chance went on to say that Maples was a mentor to him as well, and that he was a man filled with the love of God.
"I don't care what was going on with the city, Bill was a friend outside of city business always asking how the family was doing or how I was doing. He was never about himself, very unselfish, he was just one of those solid people," Chance said.
Maples was born in Gatlinburg but spent most of his life in Pigeon Forge where he was actively involved in the First Baptist Church as a member for 49 years.
He and a business partner formed the Quality Construction Company in Pigeon Forge and later operated the Comfort and Quality Inns in the city.
According to friends close to him, Maples died after a lengthy battle with cancer and a series of strokes. Maples and his wife Dorothy had five children and nine grandchildren while living in Pigeon Forge.
The funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at Maples' church in Pigeon Forge with the Revs. Jeff Brooks and Keith Walker officiating. Interment will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends 2 to 6 p.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church in Pigeon Forge.
Instead of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made to First Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge Mission Programs or to the American Cancer Society.
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 20 May 2008.
Bill L. Maples
October 10, 1937 - May 20, 2008
Birthplace: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Resided In: Pigeon Forge Tennessee USA
Visitation: May 23, 2008
Service: May 23, 2008
Cemetery: Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens
Bill L. Maples, age 70 of Pigeon Forge, went to be with his heavenly Father on Tuesday, May 20, 2008. Born October 10, 1937 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, he lived most of his life in Pigeon Forge where he and his business partners established Quality Construction Company. Later he partnered to develop and operate Comfort and Quality Inns in Pigeon Forge. He was very involved with his church, First Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge, where he was a member for 49 years and taught Sunday School. He was also an active leader in Pigeon Forge and throughout Sevier County where he served on Pigeon Forge City Council for over 26 years, Sevier County Utility District Board of Directors for 16 years as well as several other countywide boards and committees. His favorite pastime was golfing with friends at Gatlinburg Country Club. He was a man of God who loved his family dearly and took great pride in his community, business and work.
He was preceded in death by his parents Clyde Maples and Thelma Maples and brothers-in-law Ed Harrell and Earl Oakley.
Survivors include his:
Wife of 49 years: Dorothy “Dot” Maples
Children: Pam and Carl Quinn, Doug and Tammy Maples, Ken Maples
Grandchildren: Andrew, Allyson, Anna, and Alex Quinn; Daniel and Kenzi Maples; Blake, Parker, and Avery Maples
Sister: Judy Harrell
Very special friend: Ruby Maples
Several nieces and nephews and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: First Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge Mission Programs, P.O. Box 98, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868; or, American Cancer Society, c/o Teri Newman, 3629 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863.
Grandchildren will serve as pallbearers and his Sunday School class will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Funeral service 7 PM Friday at the First Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge with Rev. Jeff Brooks and Rev. Keith Walker officiating. Interment 10 AM Saturday in Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens. The body will lie-in-state from 12 noon until 2 PM Friday at First Baptist Church, Pigeon Forge. The family will receive friends 2-6 PM Friday at First Baptist Church Pigeon Forge. Arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home Sevierville. (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)
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