Bill was born on October 29, 1928 to Milton and Ruby Payton Corlew. Mr. Corlew received his early education in the Madison County School System and attended Lambuth College, Denver University, and Tampa University , and Lowery Air Force Base School of Instructions and Electronics.
In the early 50s he was stationed at Goose Bay Labrador and saw duty that took him across The Arctic Circle to the Base Outpost of Thule, Greenland. While serving there with the 59th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, the squadron was the first to fly jet aircraft across the Arctic Circle and was awarded membership in the “Knights of the Blue Nose” Club. He was also stationed at Lowery Air Force Base in Denver, CO where he was a Master Instructor, instructing in the field of Airborne Weapons Control Systems for the USAF and foreign students.
He also saw duty in Vietnam and was stationed and Cam Rahn Bay in support of the F-4 Phantom Weapons Control Systems. After this, he retired from the Air Force in 1971. After retirement, Mr. Corlew taught electronics with the Jackson City School System for 20 years. He was a member of Malesus United Methodist Church
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Robert Corlew, Peggy Corlew Lilliard, Jerry Corlew, and Benny Corlew.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Elsie Matthews Corlew; his children, Tere Corlew Gusmus, Tami Corlew Price, and Greg Corlew; his grandchildren, Tiffany Vancleve, Jonathan Price, Matthew Price, Britanny Mayhall, and Alexandria Corlew; and great grandchildren, Vivian Vancleve, Madeline Vancleve, Grayson Vancleve, Brody Mayhall, Jadyn Price, Aubrie Price, and Blaine Price; he is also survived by a sister, Imogene Corlew.
The family will receive friends and loved ones at a visitation to be held on Thursday, April 12, 2018 from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the South Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons.
A graveside service is to be held following the visitation at 3 p.m. on April 12, 2018 at Ebenezer Cemetery in Malesus with Military Honors to be rendered by the United States Air Force. Rev. Travis Penny of Malesus United Methodist Church will officiate the service.
The family has requested that memorial contributions in Mr. Corlew’s memory be directed to the Malesus United Methodist Church, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
