George Williams Toncray III

With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Captain George Williams Toncray III, USN, age 85, of Kingsport, TN, on April 28, 2025, surrounded by family at The Waters of Kingsport Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation.

George was born on the historic day of September 1, 1939, to the late George Williams Jr. and Edna Burleson Toncray in Johnson City, TN. A few years after his birth and the start of World War II, his family lived in Oak Ridge, TN, where his late sister Rachel Tiller was born and their father worked alongside Dr. Edward Teller on the Manhattan Project to produce the first nuclear weapons for WWII. Afterwards, the family returned to Upper East Tennessee settling in Kingsport and where his father continued his career at Eastman Chemical Company as an engineer.

George graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School in 1957, and continued his education at Clemson University where, like his father, he graduated with an engineering degree. Upon graduation, he served with pride in the United States Navy and when his commission ended, he and his growing family moved back home to Kingsport where he began his almost 30-year career at Eastman and continued serving our country in the USN Reserves for 20 years and retired with the rank of Captain.

After retiring from Eastman, he realized one of his lifelong dreams of working as a carpenter as Jesus did and became an apprentice for Eddie Kitson building custom cabinetry over the next decade. He also worked part-time at an Antique Store, with interior designer Juanita hanging wallpaper, as a corporate suite bartender at Bristol Motor Speedway, owned and operated The Snow Shack, at his wife Louisa’s business The Video Station, and in his late 70s, was a Food City grocery bagger where he brightened customers day with his friendly and jovial personality.

All who knew George, knew him for his sense of humor and one-liners, his Clemson ‘Tiger Pride’, his charity as a member and President of the Kingsport Civitan Singles Club and Kingsport Jaycees where he was given an ‘Outstanding Member” award, as a volunteer with The CXS Santa Train, and many other Kingsport community charities.

Throughout his life, George enjoyed the outdoors and had an active lifestyle. He was a Boy Scout, became a BSA Scout Troup Leader and was awarded the Order of the Arrow recognizing his outstanding service and achievement within the organization. For decades he played competitive tennis and hit the golf course with his brother-in-law Alex, son-in-law Ben, and friends Andy and Paul, and many others. He loved to travel to visit family and friends, but most especially traveling with his wife Louisa to their favorite destination Boothbay Harbor on the coast of Maine.

George loved his family and is survived by his wife of 37 years, Louisa Looney Toncray; his daughters, Michelle T. Benton (Whispering Pines, NC), Renee T. Cusack (Morganton, NC), and Christy T. Stipes (Strawberry Plains, TN); his stepdaughters, Deborah Hamblin (Kingsport, TN) and Allison B. Minter (Strawberry Plains, TN). He will always be treasured as "Pawpaw" by his grandchildren, Hayley Saway PAC (Charleson, SC) and Phillip Morie USCG Rescue Swimmer (Arcadia, CA), who were the joy of his life. He is also survived by his sons-in-law, Dr. Philip Benton, Sam Proffitt, and Ben Stipes; grandson-in-law, Dr. Brian Saway; brother-in-law, James Kelly Tiller, III (Bluffton, SC); and his nephews, Josh K. (and Melissa) Tiller (Bluffton, SC) and Jason 'Jake' K. (and Savanah) Tiller (St. Petersburg, FL).

His graveside burial service with Military Honors will be Saturday, May 3, 11 a.m. at Oak Hill Memorial Park (800 Truxton Dr, Kingsport, TN 37660). Following his burial, a service will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in the sanctuary at First Broad Street United Methodist Church. A reception will immediately follow. 

Both services will be conducted by Randy Frye, Lead Pastor of the First Broad Street United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Broad Street United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org), the Multiple Sclerosis Society (https://www.nationalmssociety.org), and the Rheumatology Research Foundation (https://www.rheumresearch.org).

Warmhearted thanks to George’s caregivers, Dr. Warren Jones (HVMG Primary Care Colonial Heights), numerous other doctors & nurses at Ballard Hospital Indian Path and Holston Valley, and entire staff at The Waters of Kingsport Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation, especially Sara Andies FNP. Also, a special thanks to the kindest of neighbors, Rob and Lori Arnold and Scott and Beverly Horton.