William A. Karnes
Family Tribute:

Tribute to William A. (Tony) Karnes

To our brother and best friend, Tony perished on the 97th floor of WTC Tower 1. Tony loved New York, the gardens, the cultural opportunities, entertainment and restaurants.

Tony’s work with Marsh took him all over the U.S. where he met and made many friends and got to visit many places of his dreams. Many of these friends came to his memorial on October 25th in Knoxville, Tennessee.

After the tragedy of 9-11-01, Tony’s sisters went to New York in hopes of finding him but his young life was taken by this cowardly act of terrorism.

Tony’s gift to New York is the $12,000 given in his memory for the Freedom Engine fire truck purchased by East Tennessee people. The Freedom Engine is to be presented to Ladder Company 14 in Harlem in March. The Engine displays a bronze plaque that reads: "From the people of East Tennessee to the people of New York City, we will not forget September 11, 2001."

Tony, your sisters are still hurting. We are only saying goodnight but not goodbye.

Sadly missed and will always be in our hearts.

Your sisters, Brenda Vandever, Vicky Ratcliff and Gayle Barker


William Anthony Karnes: Discovering New York

William Anthony Karnes made his living as a software trainer for Marsh & McLennan. But his life’s passion was touting the virtues of his adopted hometown, New York, regaling his sisters with stories about the wonders of living in the city where anything is possible, a place grander than anything he imagined growing up back in tiny Corryton, Tenn.

At least twice a week, Mr. Karnes, 37, would phone home to Tennessee, as much to say "I love you" as to brag about his latest favorite restaurant, usually some Indian place. "He loved that there was so much to discover in New York," said John Winter, his domestic partner.

And he made sure to share his favorite discoveries. "It was a big kick for him to show us around his city," said his sister, Gayle Barker. "He’d take us to the Empire State Building, the top of the World Trade Center, Rockefeller Center or just walking through the streets."

The one thing Mr. Karnes couldn’t find in his beloved Manhattan was true Southern cooking. His love of a good plate of pinto beans, corn bread, mashed potatoes and biscuits always managed to guide him back home to one of his sisters’ dinner tables. In her mind, Mrs. Barker still imagines her brother sitting around the table. "I just keep thinking that this isn’t really happening, that he’s not dead. He’s just on a long, long trip somewhere."

Copyright (c) 2001 by The New York Times Co. Reprinted by permission.
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Tony, we have missed you so much over these past 10 years. Your smile, your laugh, your practical jokes - I remember them fondly.

Brenda & I go to all the Knoxville 9/11 services and hope to go back up to New York next year to see the new memorial.

I hope you are looking down on me, Brenda & Vicky with a smile in your heart.

Love, Gayle

Gayle Barker, Family
Sep 13 2011 9:29AM
Tony is never far from my thoughts not, just on 9-11. We were friends before we started school and remained friends. If there were ever someone through the years i knew i could count on being there if i needed them it def. was Tony Karnes. Unfortunately, like many we lost contact through the years. But, I had the opportunity to see him shortly before 9-11. My last memory of him was when i was visiting his mother in the hospital and some tall, slim good looking guy comes walking in with a smile that lite up the whole room. He took one look at me, ran over grinning ear to ear, picking me up the floor with a huge bear hug and says to me..." you don't even remember me?". I then recognized him and just couldn't believe it was Tony. Our visit was short but, i thank God he allowed me that moment. Tony was like a brother to me. I guess you could say i knew him all my life before 1st grade through out HS. When we were little he would play whatever i wanted which was always "house" or "dolls"..just anything that made me happy. Last high school memory was right before graduation a few of us took off one day for a nice lunch before we went our separate ways. ..funny thing is the only one i remember from that day was Tony. God Bless the family! You will always be in my prayers! Cindy
Cindy Hill- Treadway, Friend
Sep 11 2011 8:36PM
Today (9/11/2011) I recieved a card at my church, Christ United Methodist in College Station, Texas with William's name on it so that I would have someone special to pray for. My prayers are for peace and serinity for William's family and friends today and for years to come till we all gather in heaven united with love. God Bless y'all.

Bill Osborn II

Bill Osborn II, Family
Sep 11 2011 4:27PM
Thinking of Tony today as I have so many other days. What a wonderful, kind person. We laughed through many classes together in high school. Everyone who was fortunate enough to know him will remember that wonderful smile forever.
Anita Martin Shea, Friend
Sep 11 2011 1:38PM
Tony was a great friend and colleague. We met in Memphis in 1998 and he was one of my favorite people. I miss him so much.
Kelly Maxwell-Dice, Colleague
Sep 11 2011 11:43AM
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