We bid farewell to Bill, a son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. Bill departed us on August 30, 2024 leaving behind an unforgettable mark of unwavering love, friendship and kindness on the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him. He is preceded in death by his parents Dillard and Gerry Cutrell Childress; sister, Nina Youngblood; wife, Carole Neal Childress, and grandson, Kyle Childress.
He was born July 11, 1938, in Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated from Hume-Fogg Technical and Vocational Scholl in 1956. After graduation, Bill and his best friend Don volunteered to be drafted into the US Army and deployed on January 8, 1957. They served two years and were discharged on January 7, 1959. After all these years his bravery, sacrifice and strength do not go unnoticed. Once home he and Carole were married on April 16, 1960, and were happily married for 58 years. He enjoyed camping, boating and spending time with his family and friends.
Bill was a member of The Glade Baptist Church in Gladeville, Tennessee. He loved his church family and looked forward to every Sunday. He enjoyed taking a coke and a joke to his Sunday school class friends each week.
He is survived by his son, Dewayne Childress and his wife Jo; daughter, Renee Childress; brother-in-law, Bobby Youngblood; grandchildren, Matthew Lannom, Brittany Jackson and her husband David and Kimi Vaughn and her husband Justin; great grandchildren, Madilyn, William, Eli, Lucas, Sophia, Case and Codi.
A gathering of family and friends for Bill will be held Tuesday September 3, 2024, from 10:00Am - 1:00PM at Hermitage Funeral Home, 535 Shute Lane, Old Hickory, TN. 37138 followed by a funeral service from 1:00 – 2:00PM, Dr. Trevie Dean officiating. Burial will be in the Hermitage Memorial Gardens following the service.
Serving as pallbearers will be, Brook Turner, Justin Vaughn, Kenneth Boyd, David Jackson, Steven Turner, Jared Starkey and Gary Youngblood. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Joines, Melvin Boyd, Chris Turner, Butch Bennett and Dan Hosse.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to your favorite charity in Bill’s name.
I know Bill would say "Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that's the way I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all."
