Monday, December 12, 2011

Former official Bill Tallent passes away

Fred Brown of the News Sentinel reports that former county official Bill Tallent passed away on Sunday.

Here's the story:

A former Knox County official and World War II veteran whose wartime experience included an escape from a German prisoner of war camp has died.

William C. “Bill” Tallent, left, was 88.

He died Sunday at the Ben Atchley State Veterans Home.

Mr. Tallent was with the 28th Infantry Division serving with an intelligence unit when he was captured near Hosigen, Luxembourg, in December 1944.

His eventual escape from his German captors was the stuff of movies. He won the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

Last year, Mr. Tallent was honored for his life of service to the community and veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Knoxville was renamed the William C. Tallent Veterans Outpatient Clinic in his honor.

Mr. Tallent was a former county commissioner of finance and also had worked as a court officer in Knox County Criminal Court.He was bailiff in Knox County Criminal Court, Division II, from 8-16-93 until Feb. 29, 2008.

More details as they develop online and in Tuesday's News Sentinel.

1 comment:

Brian Hornback said...

Mr. Tallent was a superb gentleman, he was a man deserving of respect and to be revered. I will continue to wear the POW/MIA lapel pin that he gave me.