William Eugene (Bill) Herr, Sr. was born in Dale, Indiana on June 23, 1930 and peacefully passed away June 16, 2019, one week shy of his 89th birthday. He was the much adored son of Raymond and Elizabeth Schum Herr. He had two siblings Robert, and Charmaine, both of whom he admired for their great sense of humor. After graduating Dale High School in 1948, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army as a member of the elite 82nd Airborne. He didn’t know quite what he had gotten himself into as he spent most of his days jumping out of perfectly good aircraft and trying to avoid landing in trees. When his enlistment was complete, he met and married the love of his life, Jimmie Anne Odom. He soon enrolled at Chicago Technical College where he earned a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering. Bill and Jimmie Anne thrived while living in Chicago, where they had their first child, William Eugene Jr.. When a great opportunity came Bill’s way, the family moved to Bristol, Tennessee where David Dwayne, Leesa Gayle, Gary Brian, and Eric Alan were born. Bill and his family were devoted members of St. Anne Catholic Church in Bristol, Virginia, where all five children attended elementary school. Their life in Bristol was filled with wonderful memories of family Christmases, Birthdays, BBQs, skiing at the lake, and hanging out in the family kitchen with family and friends. Bill was a craftsman who enjoyed working with his hands. He refurbished the family’s first boat, finished the basement in the family home, and ultimately discovered his passion and talent for pottery. His masterpieces are cherished by family and his closest friends to this day. Bill and Jimmie Anne left Bristol when Bill’s engineering career took them to Greensboro, North Carolina. After retirement they settled near Willow Spring where they enjoyed a quiet life together, especially visits with their ever-growing family. They were blessed with many beloved in-laws, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bill was many things to many people, a wonderful husband, a great father and admired father-in-law, grandfather, and great-grandfather, a skilled potter, an entrepreneur, but the one thing that really made him stand out was his amazing ability to make all that graced his presence feel loved. Bill was a reserved man, but he had an ability to charm those who met him with his smile and big laugh. Bill and Jimmie Anne are now watching over their family together and pondering why the Ford Maverick they gave their children ended up with so many dents, and listening to them tell their favorite stories of his life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Anne Catholic School and Church, 350 Euclid Ave, Bristol, VA 24201.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18