William "Bill" Henry Shamblin

William “Bill” Henry Shamblin, 93, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 31, 2021.  He was born in Riceville, Tennessee on November 2, 1928 to Lester and Marie Shamblin.  He was preceded in death, by his beautiful wife of 66 years, Eleanor “Kay” Howles Shamblin, who passed away on November 24, 2021.  Bill and Kay were married on August 20, 1955 in Hernando, Mississippi. They had three children, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Bill grew up in Calhoun, TN and graduated from Calhoun High School in 1947.  After graduating from high school, Bill worked at a gas station in Calhoun, before deciding to join the US Air Force in August 1949.  Bill served his country as a Staff Sargent in the US Air Force from 1949 to 1952. He was a veteran of the Korean War.  He received the Presidential Unit Citation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal,

Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean War Service Medal.  Following his service in the military, he was a supervisor for Western Electric for 29 years.  After he retired, he earned his real estate license and sold real estate for many years.

Bill accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior on April 20,1958.  Kay and Bill were active members of East Ridge Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, TN.; where Bill served as a deacon and elder for many years.  After they moved to Ooltewah, they were active members at Ooltewah Baptist Church. They also attended Westwood Baptist Church in Cleveland, TN and Bayside Baptist Church in Harrison, TN.

Bill and Kay loved to travel.  They went on numerous bus tours and served on many mission trips throughout the U.S. and Canada.  They were both very active in the Republican Party and helping others in their community.  Bill could fix anything.  He was very handy and loved making bird houses, tool boxes, Christmas boxes, and doll houses for his grandchildren.  Bill loved to do research on his family roots and learn more about his family.  Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and sitting on the front porch with his beloved, Kay.  His sense of humor, smile, and doing for others was what made him the husband, father, brother, and grandfather that was loved by many.

He was preceded in death by his wife; Eleanor Kay Shamblin, and daughter, Brenda Kay (Chris) Franklin; his parents, Lester and Marie Shamblin; sisters; Mary Lee Shamblin and  Alice (Jim) Maddox.  

He is survived by his children, Sheila (Dan) Walker, and Steven (Charla) Shamblin; grandchildren, Kelly Walker, Sullivan Shamblin, Ethan (Ryan) Shamblin, and Aubrey Shamblin; Lindsey (David) Johnson, Jacob (Morgan) Franklin, great grandchildren; Griffin Johnson and Hayden Johnson; brothers; Wes (Polly) Shamblin, James (Alice) Shamblin, and sister; Pat (George) King. 

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, January 9, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with the Rev. Grady Cooper officiating. Interment will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 10, 2022 at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with Sullivan Shamblin, Ethan Shamblin, Aubrey Shamblin, Jake Franklin, Tim Riggs, Al Rogers, Mickey Shamblin, Joe Shamblin, and Dan Walker serving as pallbearers. A white dove release ceremony and the playing of bagpipes honors will conclude the service.  The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 9, 2022 at the funeral home.

A special thanks to the staff at Hearth Hospice and The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer's Center of Excellence, Collegedale for their love and care of our father. 

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Shamblin family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.