William McDonald Tynes, CEO of Springfield Grocer Co., died Sept. 22 after suffering a heart attack while on vacation off the coast of Santorini, Greece. He was 60.
Tynes, a Springfield native, graduated from Glendale High School in 1968 and graduated from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., in 1972, according to a News-Leader obituary.
After he completed college, Tynes began his career at Springfield Grocer. In 1975, he became the company's first information technology director, which changed the way the company operated as far as ordering, processing, shipping and billing. Tynes represents the fourth generation of his family in the company, according to the Springfield Grocer
Web site.
Before serving as CEO, Tynes worked in purchasing and sales, and was the general manager, vice president and president, the site said.
Tynes' son Jefferson Tynes is currently president of the company. Springfield Grocer officials could not be reached for comment this morning.
Founded in 1865, Springfield Grocer is the oldest continuously operating company in Springfield, according to the History Museum for Springfield-Greene County.
Tynes is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years Pam Tynes; a son and his wife, Jefferson and Lynn Tynes; a daughter, Sarah Tynes; a sister, Katherine Tynes and her partner Stan Haseltine; and two grandchildren, Walker Tynes and Elizabeth Tynes, according to the obituary.
Funeral services were held this morning at 11 a.m. in Christ Episcopal Church, with the burial following at Maple Park Cemetery.[[In-content Ad]]