William Mimms Rosson

William Mimms Rosson, 87, of Memphis, passed away June 1, 2010 at Baptist Memorial Hospital Memphis. Mr. Rosson was born and raised in Springfield, Tennessee and graduated from Columbia Military Academy in 1940. He attended Vanderbilt University until he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served as Lieutenant on the USS West Virginia during World War II as a gunnery officer. Upon leaving the Navy in 1946, he completed his degree in Physics from the Tennessee Polytech Institute (now Tennessee Tech University) in 1946. Between 1947 and 1955, Mr. Rosson worked in several enterprises in the tobacco and construction business. In 1955, he was employed by the American Snuff Company (Conwood Company L.P.) where he was employed until his retirement in 2007 at 85 years of age. During his tenure with American Snuff Company, he advanced through the company from tobacco buyer to President and Chief Executive Officer and, ultimately, to Chairman Emeritus. He was proud of the fact that total family tenure with the company, including both his father and his son, was 127 years. A man of varied interests, he could quote the Bible, Shakespeare, and Robert Service with equal ease, read extensively on developments in Physics and Quantum Mechanics, and was an avid outdoorsman. His great happiness, aside from his family, was found in looking at things from his unique perspective and finding a novel solution, whether the problem was a manufacturing process or lawn mower repair. His keen intelligence and sense of humor contributed to his philosophical and optimistic outlook. Mr. Rosson was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Bobo Rosson and Sara Willis Mimms Rosson; a sister, Louise Rosson Carney; and his wife, Doris McNeeley Rosson. He is survived by daughter, Sara (Sadie) Rosson of Nashville, TN; son William McNeeley (Bill) Rosson of Memphis; and one granddaughter, Caroline Mimms Rosson of New York. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Memphis. A memorial visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 4, 2010 at Memphis Funeral Home Poplar Chapel. A private family service will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2010. Memorials may directed to the William M. Rosson Physics Scholarship at Rhodes College or the William M. Rosson Scholarship at Tennessee Tech University. Fare thee well. Memphis Funeral Home Poplar 901-725-0100 www.memphisfuneralhome.net