William E. Ring

William E. Ring, born March 28, 1921 in Monette, Arkansas, entered the gates of Heaven on Sunday, June 12, 2016. He died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family. A World War II Army Veteran and Pastor, he was preceded in death by his mother and father, Velma Ring and William Carol Ring, his sister, Christine Ring, and his son-in-law, Harman Yant. He is survived by his brother, Melvin Ring of Franklin, KY and his sister, Geraldine Ring Pyle of Greenfield, IN. He leaves behind his loving wife of 75 years, Nellie Maryane Ring. Theirs was one of the greatest love stories ever told. They dated less than three weeks before they tied the knot over 75 years ago. He was the beloved patriarch to a huge family who loved him dearly. He also leaves behind his daughter, Georita Yant of Oakland, TN, his daughter, Donna Ring Blancett and her husband Jerry Blancett of Millington, TN, his son, Tom Ring and his wife Keri Ring of Nashville, TN, his daughter, Denise Ring Suthoff and her husband, John Suthoff, of Piperton, TN, as well as his niece Patsy Mitchell of Oakland, TN. He was Grandfather to seventeen grandchildren, Great-Grandfather to twenty-three and Great-Great-Grandfather to six. God has truly blessed our family with a rich legacy because of him. His was a life story like no other, worthy of a book or movie written in his honor. But instead, he lived a simple life spent serving others, but mainly spent serving his Lord and Savior. He was in the Army from 1941 to 1945. He was at Normandy and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. While in the War he received three purple hearts and the Bronze Star. He served under General Patton and lived his entire life as a true patriot to this great country of United States. In 1956 he was ordained as a Baptist Minister and spent the next forty-five years pastoring and building church congregations. He and his wife spent countless hours visiting hospitals and nursing homes. He had a heart of compassion for the sick and elderly. During his ministry, he saw thousands of people come to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Oh to see the celebration as they welcomed him unto heaven with the words "Thank you for giving to the Lord's service, I was a life that was changed." He retired from pastoring at 80 years of age and has spent the last fifteen years of his life spending time with Momma, doing things he loved, mowing grass, eating out, shopping flea markets and Goodwill for bargains, and playing with his two dogs, Jack and Jill. To say he will be missed would be the greatest understatement ever uttered. But now we have to let him go, his Savior has called him home to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant." So strike up the band, assemble the choir, make sure heaven's table has room for at least one more. Sing a Welcome Song, Another Soldier's Coming Home. The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 14, 2016 from 5pm until 9pm with a Celebration of Life Service on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at 11:30am, all at Collierville Funeral Home, 534 W. Poplar Ave. Collierville, TN. Interment will follow in West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery where military honors will be rendered.