It is with regret we announce the passing of Mr. Billy Wayne Chamblee, age 84, of Fayetteville, TN. Mr. Chamblee was born on April 23, 1935 in Giles County, TN to the late James Carl and Vora Maude Upton Chamblee. He passed away on April 20, 2020 at TN State Veterans’ Home in Murfreesboro, TN, surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Bill served in the US Air Force. He was a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and spent many years working at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) in Tullahoma as a computer analyst. He was a member of the Fayetteville First Baptist Church.
He leaves behind a legacy of fulfilling Christ’s great commandment. He loved the Lord with all of his heart, all of his soul, and all of his mind. (Matthew 22:36-40). He loved his family in the same manner. Bill served as a Sunday School teacher and a deacon in the church. He visited nursing homes with the Senior Adult Group from First Baptist Church, and he served wherever he was needed in the church. As a member of the Gideon International, Bill went to several local churches telling others about the Gideon ministry. He helped place Bibles or New Testaments in our local schools, nursing homes, Lincoln Medical Center, and Motlow State Community College. He also distributed New Testaments through the Gideon jail ministry.
He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Glenda Sanders Chamblee; daughters, Valerie (Ron) Stahr of Murfreesboro, and Denise (Greg) Scott of Franklin, TN; grandchildren, Chandler Scott and Will Scott of Franklin, Jordan Siler, Mary Stahr, Lily Stahr, and Dillon Stahr all of Murfreesboro, Ryan (Cristina) Stahr, and Garrett Stahr both of Nashville, TN; and siblings, Lindall (Tom) Lewis of Portland, TN; Inez Hurtz of Nashville, Jody (Roy) Kolbe of Cumberland Furnace, TN, and Phillip Chamblee of Nashville, TN; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother, James Chamblee and wife, Jane, and sisters, Ruth Chamblee Thompson, and Loretta Chamblee Maddox and husband, Horace.
Everyone who knew him loved his gentle and kind spirit and his wonderful sense of humor. His greatest joy was to bring a smile to those around him or, better yet, a laugh.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there will be no public gathering at this time. A private family service will be held with Dr. Jon Hathcock officiating and burial in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. The family invites you to share memories at higginsfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideons International, Fayetteville Camp, P.O. Box 166, Fayetteville, TN 37334.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Billy Wayne Chamblee.