William R. Painter

He was a retired captain having served his country in the United States Marine Corps and held in the enlisted ranks a ranking of Master Sergeant (E8). For meritorious service during the 1964 Congolese uprisings he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal with Joint Task Force LEO, in Leopoldville (now known as Kinshasa) in the Republic of the Congo Africa, for rescue and evacuation operations of missionaries and wounded nationals. Bill served in Vietnam 1967-68 during the infamous “Tet Offensive” receiving many awards including the Combat Action Ribbon. After retirement from the United States Marine Corps in 1973 he came to Chattanooga and attended Tennessee Temple University where he received a BS Degree in Education and has lived here ever since. Bill has been a member of Grace Baptist Church since 1979 where he gained his passion for foreign missions. Since 2001 he participated in 40 short-term mission construction projects in more than 18 countries.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Aline Currie of Waycross, GA., and a son in law, Jeff Cooke.

Left behind to cherish Bill’s memory are his two daughters, Patti and her husband Dr. Robert Dyer, and Pam Cooke, both of Chattanooga, one grandson, Shawn (Afton) Davis, Green River, WY., two granddaughters, Brandy (Adgusto) Luna and Becca (VJ) Wilson-Jones, six great-grandchildren, Jaidyn, Kaidynce, Brailyn, and Cohen, all of Chattanooga, and Julian and Abram of Green River, WY., a brother, Ron (Ardy) Painter, and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held privately graveside in the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Friday January 22, 2021 at 1:00 pm with full military honors.

We respectfully request that all current mandates set forth by the CDC and the Hamilton County Health Department be adhered to. This includes “social distancing” and wearing masks at all times while on the premises.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made in Bill's honor to Grace Baptist Church Missions Program, 7815 Shallowford Rd Chattanooga, TN 37421.

Arrangements are under the care of Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist East Chapel, 404 South Moore Rd. East Ridge, TN 37412.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com