Bill Jenkins

Billy (Bill) Jackson Jenkins, age 94, died Friday, June 19, 2026, at his home in Cookeville, TN. At his side was his wife of 58 years, Eunetta Finley Jenkins.

Bill was born January 22, 1932, in Dixon Springs, TN, and was the son of the late Eddie Rudolph Jenkins and Pervis Gregory Jenkins.

He graduated from Hartsville High School and attended Cumberland University. Bill was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, having enlisted in January 1952 and served in various locations during the Korean War. Before his honorable discharge in December 1955, he was stationed in the Kwajalein Islands. Early in his professional career, he served in several capacities in the trucking industry before spending several years as the Director of Tennis for Putnam County Parks & Recreation.

Bill was an avid tennis player for many years and was deeply committed to growing the sport in Cookeville. He devoted his time to teaching both youth and adults, organizing tennis programs, helping develop local team tennis, and stringing racquets for players throughout the community. He continued playing tennis into his 80s and, as the game became more challenging with age, took up pickleball. A strong supporter of the Tennessee Tech tennis program, he was a familiar presence at the TTU indoor tennis facility, where he worked at the front desk and strung racquets following his retirement from Parks & Rec.  Bill was known for his steady encouragement and dedication to tennis, and many players and families benefited from his instruction and support. His contributions left a lasting impact on tennis in the community.

He was the father of Donald Curtis Jenkins (Madison), Scott Jackson (Teresa) Jenkins (Cookeville), Robert Lee Wray (Cookeville), and Jill Andrea Jenkins (David) Speight (Murfreesboro). Bill was a grandfather to Roxanne Jenkins (JP Dunlap), Felisha Jenkins Gonzalez, Crystal Jenkins, and Macy, Molly, and Mallory Speight. And a great-grandfather to Gabriel and Alise Gonzalez and Yahya Dunlap. And a loving uncle to several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Eddie Ethelene Jenkins Driver; and his brother, Barry Joe Jenkins.

Bill is survived by his sisters, Tina Ann Jenkins Russell of Castalian Springs and Barbara June Jenkins Still of Gallatin; his sister-in-law, Debbie Jenkins Earps, widow of his late brother, Barry Joe Jenkins; and his brother-in-law, Dean Driver, widower of his late sister, Eddie Ethelene Jenkins Driver.

There will be a private burial in the Quarles Burton family cemetery on Old Walton Road in Algood, TN.