William "Bill" Grady Mitchell

Funeral service will be Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 2 p.m. at McConnell Memorial Chapel with Brian Murphy officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 29, 2017 from 6-9 p.m. at McConnell Funeral Home. Burial will be in Athens City Cemetery.

Mr. Mitchell was born April 29, 1924 in Limestone County to William Franklin Mitchell and Gertie Ann Smith Mitchell. He is preceded in death by his parents, and six siblings, Riley Jefferson Mitchell, James Oneal Mitchell, Hollis Franklin Mitchell, Henry David Mitchell, and infant twins Mitchell.

Mr. William Grady Mitchell was a WWII veteran. He served as Corporal of the 618th Army Air Forces Base Unit. He received his advanced radio certificate in 1949, and was an engineer and announcer for WJMW AM and WJOF FM radio stations. He and Marge Brown started the infamous on air show “Swap and Shop”.

Mr. Mitchell was also the owner and operator of the Sportsman’s Park for several years before retiring to a fish, farm, and enjoy just being “Uncle Bill” to his great and great-great nieces and nephews. He rarely missed ball games and family activities.

He was a man of faith where his quiet sincere love of Christ was a testament and witness. He spent the last years of his life residing at the Floyd “Tut” Fann Veterans Home in Huntsville, AL, where he was affectionately dubbed by staff “The Bird Man” because of his daily care of the birds that would come to feed at the bird houses by his window. To those who were closest, he was more than an uncle, he was a grandfather.

Pallbearers will be Jacob Lamar, Will Little, Cody Little, Tom Little, Terry Tyler, and David Ridgeway.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of Limestone County, St. Jude Hospital, Samaritan’s Purse, or Smile Train.