William John Heath

Born to Willis and Helen Heath on January 10, 1938, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Bill grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Marquette Catholic School, where he excelled both academically and athletically. He lettered in all three sports for all four years and was honored as Homecoming King. He went on to attend the University of Oklahoma, where he was an active member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

After college, Bill enlisted and began a distinguished 21-year career in the United States Navy. While stationed in San Diego, California, he served aboard destroyers and aircraft carriers during the Vietnam War. It was during his time in Southern California that he met the love of his life, Gail Agnes Doherty, in Long Beach. The couple married and later moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where Bill was stationed at the Millington Naval Base.

Following his retirement from the Navy, Bill transitioned into a successful second career as a Certified Public Accountant with the firm Whitehorn, Tankersley and Davis in Memphis, where he worked until his retirement.

In his final year, Bill moved to Jasper, Georgia, where he enjoyed the peace and beauty of the North Georgia mountains.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Kelly Heath. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Mary Jeanne Unangst.

A private celebration of life will be held on April 21 at 2 PM at West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those inclined pay it forward with a good deed in Bill's honor.