"Bill," as he was known throughout Chattanooga’s legal community and beyond, was born on March 1, 1944, in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of William Ernest Hageman and Maxine Claire Buck. At a young age, Bill’s mother remarried Clarence “Chuck” Heck and the family moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Bill graduated from Brainerd High School and earned his Bachelor’s from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1968. After college, Bill enlisted in the Army, officially changed his surname to Heck and earned an officer's commission. He was honorably discharged in 1971, returned to Tennessee, and attended what is now the University of Tennessee's Winston College of Law in Knoxville. He earned his Juris Doctor and was admission to the Tennessee Bar in 1974.
Bill’s career began with a clear vision: to pursue justice through the law. Bill eschewed the traditional “big law” path, instead establishing himself as a small firm practitioner specializing in criminal defense. This decision would prove prophetic, as over the course of his career, he became one of Hamilton County's most formidable and respected criminal defense attorneys. His practice evolved and expanded, but his commitment to vigorous advocacy for his clients never wavered.
For nearly fifty years, Bill Heck was a stalwart presence in Hamilton County's courtrooms, defending clients across the full spectrum of criminal charges—from misdemeanors to high profile death penalty cases. His tenacity, fearlessness, and unwavering commitment to the principles of justice earned him recognition as one of Chattanooga's premier trial attorneys.
Bill’s approach to criminal defense was both strategic and principled. Bill maintained the result—so long as it was legal and ethical—was the only thing that mattered. He understood that effective advocacy required not just mastery of the law, but genuine concern for his clients and their families. His reputation extended beyond the courthouse—detectives, prosecutors, and judges knew that when Bill Heck took a case, it would be thoroughly investigated, vigorously defended, and professionally handled.
What set Bill apart was not just his legal acumen, but his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Colleagues and opponents alike respected his preparation, his courtroom presence, and his ethical standards. He possessed that rare combination of intellectual rigor and street smarts that made him equally comfortable arguing complex legal motions and connecting with juries drawn from the community he served.
Bill’s nearly five-decade career in criminal defense left an indelible mark on Chattanooga's legal landscape. His combination of legal skill, ethical standards, and genuine care for his clients set a standard that will be remembered long after his passing. More than just a lawyer, Bill was a mentor, a storyteller, a friend, and a larger-than-life personality who enriched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Bill was beloved for his magnetic personality and gift for conversation. Described by friends and colleagues as “colorful” and “unconventional,” he had an uncanny ability to engage anyone, anywhere, in fascinating and lively discussion. Whether holding court at a favorite restaurant, sharing stories at the courthouse, or entertaining friends with tales from his travels, Bill possessed that rare quality of making everyone around him feel like they were part of something special.
Bill's passions extended far beyond the courtroom. He was an enthusiast of fine wine, exceptional cuisine, and music of all genres. He appreciated and experienced grandeur in all things, flew first class, drove luxury cars, and maintained exacting standards. His love for the ocean and the Caribbean islands was well-known among friends and family—he spent many vacations SCUBA diving in the Carribean and relaxing on the beach.
Bill was a son, grandson, father, brother, and occasional husband. He had a special love for his children and grandchildren, and in his later years found special companionship with his family and his cat Casey. His intellectual gifts, boundless energy, and zest for life have left an indelible mark on his family and the countless lives he touched throughout his career.
His legacy lives on not only in the countless clients he defended and the precedents he helped establish, but in the memories of his infectious enthusiasm for life, his unwavering commitment to justice, and his remarkable ability to find humor and humanity in even the most challenging circumstances.
Bill was preceded in death by his stepfather, Clarence N. Heck; his mother, Maxine Claire Heck; his sister, Bonnie Claire Heck; and his brother, Rome Richard Heck. He is survived by his two children, John W. Heck and Dr. Stephanie A. Heck, and his five grandchildren: Charles Heck Brodkin, Louis Heck Brodkin, Elvira "EV" Heck, Caroline M. Heck, and Henry T. Heck.
The family will receive friends and loved ones on Friday, June 20, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. (noon) until 1 p.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel. A chapel service for Bill will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the North Chapel. Burial will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Chattanooga National Cemetery, where Bill will be laid to rest with full military honors, a fitting tribute to a man who served his country in uniform and his community in the courthouse with equal distinction.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com
The arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
