Obituaries

Wesly (Wes) Hall Goddard, formerly of Louisville, TN, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026, at his home in Smyrna, TN. He was born on May 20, 1940, and was the much-beloved son of Roy Wesley Goddard and Frances Hall Goddard. A devout Christian, Wes was a spiritual and God-fearing man that touched many lives in his effort to spread the word of God. He was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his wife, caregiver, partner, friend, and life companion, Connie Goddard. Also survived by his sister, Martha Goddard Middleton (Dan) of Louisville, TN, his son, Michael Goddard (Donna Eason) of Louisville, TN, daughter by marriage, Grace Gafford (Brian) of Smyrna, TN (also instrumental in Wes’s care), and five grandchildren: Jennifer M. Goddard, Knoxville, Hannah Gafford, Knoxville, Anna Gafford, Smyrna, Brianna Semeler (Grant) of Smyrna, granddaughter by marriage, Mary Catherine Pile, Louisville, and special cousins, John J. Goddard (Paige) of Lenoir City and James E. (Jim) Goddard (Kim) of Pearlsburg, Va. Wes was a 1958 graduate of Friendsville High School and a 1962 graduate of UT Knoxville. At graduation, he was sworn in as a 2nd Lt. in the USAF and was stationed at Brookley AF Base in Mobile, AL. After active duty, he returned to Blount County and joined the TN Air National Guard and retired as a LT. Colonel. After a long career in banking, beginning with Valley Fidelity Bank in Knoxville, he retired from Home Federal Bank in Knoxville. Active in his community, he served on various boards and community organizations. In retirement, he worked, alongside his son Mike, on the family farm, Roy Goddard Farm, in Louisville, TN before moving to Smyrna, TN in 2012. He was a long-time member of Zion Chapel Baptist Church in Louisville, TN and joined Parkway Baptist Church upon moving to Smyrna, TN. He will be missed.