William "Bill" Fitzgerald

He joined the army in 1940, when he was only 14 years old. He served in the army until the 1950's, when he then joined the Air Force and retired in 1968. He saw combat in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany in WWII. He served in Alaska in the Air Force and Strategic Air Command in Omaha, Nebraska. Medals he received include six bronze stars for acts of bravery and heroism, the purple heart, an Air Force commendation medal, and several more. He was also in the Battle of Kasserine Pass in 1943 in Tunisia, Africa, where only 15 men out of 155 survived. After retiring from the Air Force, he then went to work at Dohler-Jarvis in Greeneville, working for 10 years and then retiring.

Survivors include one daughter: Debbie Cutshaw; four grandchildren and their spouses: Kim Hale, Crystal and Scottie Gosnell, Billy Hale, and Ryan and Kendra Hale; five great granddaughters: China Kirby, Kayla Gosnell, Brittany Gosnell, Taylor Hale, and Addison Hale; two great-great granddaughters: Alexandria "Ally" Franklin and Diamond Hale; his telephone buddies: Maxine Bowers and Roger and Jane Laws; a special niece: Marva Williard of North Carolina; a special sister-in-law: Ellen Taylor; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years: Marie Taylor Fitzgerald; his parents: Alice and W.D. Fitzgerald; and a granddaughter.

The family will receive friends from 6pm-8pm Monday at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home.

Following visitation, the funeral service will be held at 8 pm in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Lynn Mercer officiating.

Interment will be at 1 pm Tuesday in GreeneLawn Memory Gardens. The Greene County Honor Guard and the Air Force will be conducting military graveside services.

Pallbearers will be Scotty Gosnell, Ryan Hale, Jason Willett, Mark Gosnell, Gary Gosnell, and Solie Griffey.