William L. “Bill” Creech, 75, of Cleveland, Tennessee, passed away on Sunday morning, January 1, 2017 at his home.
Bill was born in Albany, GA on March 20, 1941 to the late Alvah & Sarah Creech. He attended Albany High School where he met his loving wife & partner of 60 yrs Carol Ann. Together after a four year stint in United States Army, Bill & Carol in 1962 relocated to Cleveland where they raised their family & became serving & loving members of their community. Upon arriving in Cleveland, Bill was first employed with Interstate Life Insurance and then became a lifetime agent with Allstate Insurance Company while eventually owning his agency here in Cleveland along with Jim Brown. Bill & Carol promptly became deep rooted members of First Baptist Church. Bill spent countless years coaching football in area youth leagues touching many fine young men's lives of which he was very proud. Bill eventually became a TSSAA football referee and served the Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland for 30 plus years. Being from a very humble childhood in South GA, he personally understood the importance of a safe, positive atmosphere for children to grow. Another passion of Bill's was his community where he responsibly represented constituents of the 7th District of Bradley County for 16 years. Bill's other community involvement included longstanding memberships with Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Cleveland, 5 Points Museum, United Way, and Tennessee Auto Theft Committee. He was proudly honored with the Robert W. Varnell Jr. Award for his outstanding community leadership. Bill and Carol were also active Civil War re-enactors for many years. Bill also was a member of The Sons of American Revolution. Another activity he enjoyed was being on the local "Award winning longest running radio football panel." Bill loved boating and enjoyed spending time with family and friends on the water. He & Carol were also avid gardeners and loved sharing the fruits of their labors. They also were blessed to be able to travel extensively and have had great experiences seeing most of their beloved country as well as abroad. Bill cherished family as well as most everyone he interacted. He loved people and it was evident in his life. Bill is now experiencing his eternal Homecoming with His Savior and all before him. We think after his rejoining Carol he will most likely seek out Lee & Grant for his 2 cents.
In addition to his mother and father, Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife Carl Ann Creech; and one brother Wayne Creech.
Bill is survived by two daughters, Debbie Creech Webb (Joel) and Kim Creech; son Scott Creech (Debbie); seven grandchildren, Jeremy Creech (Katie), Ryan Creech, Haley Thurmond (Russell), Drew Webb (Allison), Kaitlin Webb Cordero (Stephen), Alyssa McAfee and Kristen McAfee; and two great-grandchildren, Charlie Creech and Hattie Grace Creech.
A funeral service will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, January 5 at First Baptist Church Cleveland located at 1275 Stuart Road, Cleveland, TN with Rev. Jim Gibson officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Gardens with Kent Copeland, George Gray, Larry Holcomb, grandsons, Drew Webb, Jeremy Creech and Ryan Creech and grandsons-in-law, Russell Thurmond and Stephen Cordero serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Isbill, Robbie Mantooth, Eddie Cartwright and Beecher Hunter's Sunday School Class. The service will conclude with full military honors.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 4 from 4-8 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Cleveland. There will also be one hour of visitation prior to the noon service on Thursday, January 5.
Companion Funeral and Cremation Service has charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland or the American Cancer Society.