Edward Warfield Binkley, age 85, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee passed away on Sunday, April 30, 2023 from congestive heart failure.
Ed was born in Nashville, TN and was the son of the late Melvin Binkley and Mary Napier Binkley.
Ed attended Tarbox Elementary and Richland Elementary School. He quit high school to work full time at a supermarket chain. In 1955, he joined the Navy and served on the carriers, USS Bennington in the Pacific, USS Lake Champlain in the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Caribbean and the USS Independence in the North Atlantic. By the time he left active duty status in 1959, Ed had earned his GED and was qualified to run the entire electrical system on the ship.
Returning home, he used his talents to acquire a job working for Executone Speaker Systems. After working for several electronic companies, he opened his own electronic sales company, D&H Electronic Systems, named after his daughters, Dora and Heather. Along with operating a successful business, Ed found time to serve on the Mt. Juliet and Wilson County Planning Commission, serve as the Commissioner over the Mt. Juliet Police and Fire Department and serve as a Judicial Magistrate.
Ed was elected Mayor of Mt. Juliet in 1989 and became the first Mayor of the City of Mt. Juliet to serve two complete terms. Among his accomplishments under his administration was the widening of Mt. Juliet Road, expansion of City Sewers, the addition of many policemen and police cars, institution of the annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony, and the adoption of the City Flag.
Ed also worked hard with developers to bring new restaurants, apartments, subdivisions and several other commercial businesses to Mt. Juliet and Wilson County. Ed has served as National Director of the Tennessee Jaycees, President of the Mt. Juliet and Goodlettsville Chambers of Commerce, a Charter member of the Sherriff’s Youth Ranch, a Charter member of the Mt. Juliet Lion’s Club, a Trustee on the Vol State College Foundation and a supporter of many non-profit and civic organizations.
He has been awarded the Mt. Juliet Kiwanian of the Year, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce, the first City Pioneer Award and the Chronicle of Mt. Juliet’s Person of the Year. With all of his accomplishments and awards, he was most proud of being a husband, father and Poppa.
In addition to his parents, Ed was preceded in death by his siblings, Willie Binkley, Al Binkley, Louise Worrell, Dixie Zerbe, Bessie Holton, Ruth Turner, Daisy Worrell and Ann Miles.
He is survived by:
Wife- Glenda Carver Binkley
Daughters – Dora (Mike) Posey and Heather (Patrick) Kingcaid
Grandchildren – Chloe Kingcaid, Jackson Martin, Chase Kingcaid and Hannah Kingcaid
The family wishes to thank Ed’s caregivers, Kim Thompson, Maggie Thompson, Lana Lohman and the team at Alive Hospice, especially Olivia and Sandra.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at Bond Memorial Chapel with James Hambrick officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be current and former employees of D&H Electronic Systems.
Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday and 9-11 a.m. Tuesday at Bond Memorial Chapel, N. Mt. Juliet Road and Weston Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN. (615) 773-2663. www.bondmemorial.com
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