Dobyns-Bennett Class of 1973

01/22/2026

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎

Patsy Sseda, Hank Brown

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community,

12/23/2025

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! 🎉

LInda Bond, Hank Brown, Mary Ann Bemis Pruett

12/19/2025

William D. "Bill" Dudney, class of 1973, passed on 16 December 2025.

William D. Dudney was born in Plainfield, New Jersey on August 16, 1955 with a defective heart that caused doctors to believe he would not live. Not only did he survive, he thrived, living a full and wonderful life for 70 years. After a recent decline in health, Bill passed away on December 16, 2025 surrounded by family.

The youngest child of T. Earl and Susan Dudney, Bill moved with his two brothers and two sisters from New England to Kingsport, TN in 1966. Bill graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School in 1973, the University of Tennessee in 1977, and the Graduate School of Banking of the South at LSU in 1987.

Bill’s first employment was as a sales clerk at Sobel’s Mens Store under the inestimable tutelage of Norman Sobel. In 1972, as a seventeen-year-old high school senior, a guidance counselor tapped him for a job opportunity as an afterschool coin roller at First Tennessee Bank. Thus began an illustrious forty-year career in banking. Along the way to his retirement in 2017, he excelled at every level of banking from teller to President, spending the majority of his career at First Tennessee Bank in Memphis, Chattanooga and Kingsport, and Citizens Bank in the Tri-Cities.

Bill had a big heart, with the x-rays to prove it, that guided his lifelong dedication to the service of others. Bill’s community involvement was extensive, including leadership roles within the Downtown Kingsport Association, Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, FunFest, Kiwanis Club, United Way, Girls Inc., The Tennessee Bankers Association, and Mountain View United Methodist Church.

Above all, Bill was a family man. As a freshly licensed sixteen-year-old, he asked Janyce Ralston, the future love of his life, out on a date and they were married exactly five years later. In the twists and turns of their life together, they welcomed four children, three sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and ten grandchildren.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents, Sally and George Bowling of Lafayette, AL and John and Rose Dudney of Kingsport, his aunt, Elizabeth “Lib” Dudney of Kingsport and his uncle, Randolph Bowling of Lafayette, AL.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Janyce Ralston Dudney, his children, Brooke (Andy) Adams, Laura (Adam) Goodwin, John (Heather) Dudney and Rachel (Jonathan) Hight; his grandchildren, Anne Marie, Eleanor, Charlotte and Meg Adams, Lillian and Hannah Goodwin, Charlie and Max Dudney, and Ruth and William Hight; his siblings, Susan (Jim) Greene, Tom (Diane) Dudney, Steve “Bo” (Gloria) Dudney, and Anne Kilgore; his uncle, William (Libba) Bowling and his mother-in-law, Jeannette Ralston as well as a plethora of nieces, nephews, cousins, and a long list of dear lifelong friends.

Memorial services will be conducted on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Kingsport with Rev. Mandy Taylor Young officiating.

The family will receive friends and family following the memorial service in the atrium of the church.

In memory of Bill, contributions can be made to the United Way of Greater Kingsport or the charity of one’s choice.

12/17/2025

With a tear in our eyes, our class has lost another of beloved classmates. Bill Dudney went to that heavenly reunion on December 16th. Our prayers for Janyce, Steve, Anne, and all of Bill’s family and friends. You will be missed and always loved my friend.

11/26/2025

With great sadness

Kevin Gordon Getsinger
Sept 6,1955-Nov 12,2025

Kevin Gordon Getsinger was born in Paterson, New Jersey, and from the beginning, carried a burning ambition and a quiet determination for independence. At eight years old, his family moved to Kingsport, Tennessee – a place that quickly became home. Surrounded by the hills of East Tennessee, he grew into the man who would use his wits and interpersonal skills to craft success in the world. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a BSBA, focusing on transportation, and embarked on a career with Yellow Freight Inc. His talent and drive soon carried him to their corporate office in Kansas City, Where fate introduced him to the love of his life, Jayne.

Though he excelled in his professional roles, he knew that corporate life was too limiting for him. Kevin‘s heart always beat with the spirit of an entrepreneur. He dreamed of building something of his own, and once he stepped into that dream, he flourished. Over the years, he founded and managed several companies, finding his most enduring success in a career that spanned 27 years as a development agent for Dr. Associates, Inc. There he worked side-by-side with Jayne to grow their territory from 86 to an astounding 296 stores. Their teamwork was a testament to their vision, perseverance, and their shared commitment to an uncompromising standard of quality.

 Outside the world of business, Kevin found joy and solace on the golf course. A true devotee of the game, he traveled across the country to play on some of the most iconic and coveted courses in the United States.  At his best, he carried an impressive 4 handicap Those who love him, take comfort in imagining him now chasing his dream of becoming a scratch golfer on the most beautiful course of all, where every fairway is flawless.

Above all, Kevin was a devoted husband and father. He poured his heart into supporting his sons, Christian and Kelley. Though he had no formal training in the sport, he threw himself into learning the beautiful game for their benefit, eventually becoming both coach and team manager for their soccer team teams. He sponsored and took many teams to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Center in Orlando, Florida, eventually capturing a national championship with a 3V3 team he coached. his dedication to his players and generous spirit were as boundless as his pride in seeing his players succeed.

In his final act of generosity, Kevin chose to be an organ donor for research, hoping it might shed light into the cause of the rare and devastating form of dementia that affected him. His family asks that those wishing to honor his memory consider donating to AFTD.org, where contributions will support Caregiver respite through $500 grants. Caregiving is a labor of love, but also an emotional, physical, and financial burden – one Kevin hoped others would be spared from should research progress.

Kevin leaves behind his beloved wife, Jayne; his son’s Christian (Brittney) and Kelly (Claudia); his sister Lanette (Sam); and a wide circle of extended family and friends, whose lives were brightened by his presence. He will be deeply and lovingly missed by those who are fortunate enough to be his friend

Please donate by going to theaftd.org website 

If you or a loved one are facing FTD, we are with you every step of the way—with reliable information, valuable resources, and support from others who understand.

08/31/2024

Sorry to report that another of our beloved classmates, Sally Dyer Richard, passed away on August 26th. Prayers and condolences to Sally’s family and many friends.

06/23/2024

Sad to say we lost another classmate this weekend, Lisa Ann Smith Estep. RIP

01/07/2024

01/03/2024

It is with great sadness that I share the news of Julie Grisette Tidwell going to meet her lord on January 1, 2024. Prayers for all of her family and friends. We will see you again.

12/20/2023

I just found out about the recent passing off JILL POTTS, class of '73! I have no details other than she passed over a month ago in Tellico Plains, Tennessee. Rest in PeaceJill!

10/16/2023

Sorry to report, Marvin Johnson, class of 1973, passed this morning, 15 October 2023.

09/25/2023

Photos of 50th Reunion

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