MR. IRA EUGENE WIDENER – AGE 66, - Of Dayton, Ohio and formerly of Knoxville, Tennessee passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025. Mr. Widener was born on February 18, 1959, and graduated from Middleton High School, Middleton, Ohio in 1977. After graduating he joined the U. S. Army National Guard as a Demolition Instruction Specialist. He was preceded by his father, William “Billy” Widener, and his brothers, Angelo Skipper, Sr., and Voncile Skipper.

Survivors are his loving and devoted family, sons, Paul A. (Susan) Widener, Travis Widener; mother, Virginia Grimes Taylor; sister, Rhonda Widener; brothers, Christopher (Renee) Skipper, Sr., Pete (Ashley) Widener; grandchildren, Shanyia Littrell, Camilla Widener, Lucinda Widener, Maelynn Widener, Jasmine Widener, Michelle Howard, Christopher D. Widener, Christopher (Caitlin) Skipper, Jr., Corey Widener, Angelo Skipper, Jr., Brianna Skipper, Angela Skipper, William Widener, IV, Jakobi Widener, Denise Middleton, Ashton James, Brooklyn James Widener; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Celebration of Life Service will be Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 2:00 P. M. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 1807 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919, with Rev. Renee Kesler as Eulogist, and Dr. Walter Mosley as Presider. The family will receive friends at the church one hour before the service. Arrangements entrusted to Willis Funeral Home, Inc., Dalton, Georgia and Unity Funeral Home, Knoxville, Tennessee.