January 10, 1947 – November 30, 2022

Bill Griggs, a kind, quiet, Christian man, died suddenly but peacefully at the VA Hospital, Nashville, TN, November 30, 2022, following a brief hospitalization. A native of Bradenton, FL, Bill had been a resident of Lewisburg, TN since 1983.

A humble man, Bill didn’t talk much about his service in the US Navy, but he served honorably from 1965-1974. He completed Navy Electronic Technician Class A School in 1967 and as the only Navy maintenance person assigned to the Naval detachment at Shu Lin Kou (Taiwan) Air Force Station, Bill was responsible for coordination of support by Air Force personnel. Not surprisingly, he held top secret clearance, and received a letter of appreciation from his commanding officer for exceptional service.

Following his Navy service, Bill returned to Florida where he worked for Vital Industries before relocating to Lewisburg in ‘83 to work at Teledyne as Production Test Supervisor (2 yrs) and later as Senior Quality Engineer (8 yrs). During that time, he completed his college requirements earning a BS in Engineering Technology from MTSU in Murfreesboro, TN, where he was recognized as the Outstanding Student in Quality Control.

After leaving Teledyne, Bill owned and operated a wholesale supply company which marketed a variety of products to florists and other retail merchandisers in a multi-state territory. Since 1996, he was a licensed insurance and financial investment representative.

A man of varied interests, Bill learned Morse Code in order to obtain an Advanced Class Amateur Radio License. He shot trap and skeet competitively and enjoyed boating, fishing and hunting - a highlight being a winter elk hunting/camping trip, traveling by horseback in Montana.

Bill’s patient demeanor and distinctive “sauntering” gait, coupled with careful, thoughtful analysis of the most seemingly insignificant thing, or a corny joke (often funnier to him than anyone else), will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Aulton & Ida Louise (Gates) Griggs and a beloved brother-in-law, Wiley Clark. Survivors include Patricia “Pj” Wamble, his cherished companion of 33 years; siblings, Hank (Miriam) Griggs, Bonnie Griggs Clark, Evelyn Griggs (Jack Doyle); numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, cousins, “adopted” family, and his treasured church family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, P O Box 1308, Lewisburg, TN 37091 (https://secure.myvanco.com/YHQB/home) or VA Nashville Hospital, which provides health care services for our nation’s veterans through VA Mid-South Network (https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/48003968).

Services will be Sunday, January 15, 2023, at the First Baptist Church, Lewisburg, TN. Visitation with the family will begin at 2 p.m, with a memorial service at 3 p.m. Interment at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 17, 2023, and although there will not be a service there, friends and family are welcome to attend.

Memorial Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlTQiZWWxOw