William Crutchfield

A life long resident of Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain, Bill was the son of noted local architect and artist William Crutchfield and Mary Mitchell Crutchfield whose ancestors were pioneer families in Chattanooga.

Bill graduated with honors from Baylor School and became one of the earlier under-graduate Morehead Scholars at the University of North Carolina. He received his legal education at Vanderbilt law school.

He began law practice with Chambliss, Chambliss & Hodge in 1963, then took a leave of absence for military service. He was a Judge Advocate with the 7th Infantry Division in Korea and spent his final three years of active duty as Depot Judge Advocate of Anniston Alabama Army Depot. His love for the military continued until his retirement with the rank of colonel. He was an Honor Graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

Bill returned to active practice with the same firm in 1968 and was a partner for many years until failing health limited his ability to practice as a trial lawyer and he became of counsel.

He was a member of the American, Tennessee, Georgia, Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain (GA) Bar Associations as well as the American Bankruptcy Institute. He served for several years on the Board of the Mid South Commercial Law Institute and was its President in 1996.

Early in his career he was on the Board of The Chattanooga Bar Association and was a member of the House of Delegates of the Tennessee Bar Association for twenty years. He was a Fellow of the Chattanooga and Tennessee Bar Foundations. In 1995 he received the CBA President’s Award for Distinguished Service in the Legal Community.

He was selected by his peers to be listed in Best Lawyer in America in Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor rights law from 2001 thru 2011.

Bill served for several years as City Judge of Lookout Mountain, Georgia where he called upon his own experience with mischief in designing creative punishments for juvenile offenders.

He was a long-time member of the Fairyland Club and a charter member of the Walden Club where he served 5 years as its Board Chairman.

His inherited love for the outdoors and all of Gods plants and creatures brought him to many terms of service as a Board Member of Reflection Riding.

He was for many years a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout Mountain. He served as a Vestryman and for many years was a Layreader, Chalice Bearer and Eucharistic Visitor.

He is survived by his wife and soul mate, Pat, his son, Neal Crutchfield, his daughter, Mary Katherine Harper, six grandsons; Neal Jr, Will, George, Max, Brandon and Caleb, a granddaughter, Natalie and a great granddaughter, Bailey.

Probably best remembered about Bill was his love for people, be they great or small: family, friends, co-workers, clients and others he served and those who served him in all walks of life, and he loved the Lord and his service to the church.

The family will receive guests from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout Mountain with services immediately following at 1 p.m. with Rev. Robert Childers officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Reflection Riding, the American Red Cross or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist.