Through the righteousness of Christ, William Tell Newport Jr., 96, was received into heaven on March 19. 

He was born Nov. 13, 1922 in Scott County, Tenn., and graduated from Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville. A veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, Bill was a former accountant and owner of G and N Road Construction Company in McMinnville. He was a member of Independent Presbyterian Church in Memphis and was a gifted Bible teacher who taught in a variety of church and community settings for over 60 years. Bill was a true Christian gentleman with a kind and loving heart for everyone he knew. Many considered him a spiritual mentor and prayer warrior. 

Mr. Newport was preceded in death by his parents, four siblings, son-in-law Larry Shipman and loving wife, Martha Zellner Newport. Survivors include his daughter, Amy Shipman of Cordova, grandchildren Ethan Argo (Eva), Seth Argo (Lindsay), Sheryl Stockton (Winsor), Cory Shipman (Angie); great-grandchildren Jalen, Jake, Ava, Carter, Davis, Issy, Oscar, Wilson, Maddie Kate, Millie and Will and many nieces, nephews and other family members. 

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with service to follow at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 25 at Independent Presbyterian Church, 4738 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38117. The family requests memorials be sent to Independent Presbyterian Church, The Gideons International, or Baptist Reynolds Hospice House in Collierville, TN.

Southern Standard 

(McMinnville, Tenn.) March 24, 2019