Orr, William "Bill" J., Sr.

U.S. Army Veteran Was Founder Of GT Distributors

  • Wednesday, August 23, 2017
William Orr
William Orr

William "Bill" J. Orr, Sr. passed away on Monday, August 21st, 2017 at his home in Georgetown, Texas.

Bill was born in Chattanooga on March 25, 1933.  His parents moved to Nicholson, Ga., when he was a small child to help his mother's parents with their general store and Texaco station. Growing up just outside of Athens, Ga., he was accepted into the University of Georgia where he met his future wife, Charlotte Ray. At UGA Bill was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.  Shortly after college he was inducted into the U.S. Army and given an all-expense paid trip to Europe. He landed a choice assignment, Inspector General's staff, which entailed travel to bases all over Europe. This fueled the desire for travel he was fortunate to pursue later in life. Upon returning to the civilian world he was recruited into Goodyear's retail store program which led him and his newlywed wife, Charlotte to Dalton and eventually Rossville.

He later went to work for McWhorter, Weaver & Co. in the wholesale television and appliance business where he advanced to vice-president. In 1972 he left to form his own company, G T Distributors, a supplier of law enforcement equipment. Under his management it grew to where it is today with over 100 employees and four locations. Bill was a member of F&AM Masonic Lodge #397 in Rossville. As his career allowed later, he traveled extensively both as a tourist and wing shooter on four continents.

Bill was preceded in death his parents, Thelma and Fred Orr, Nicholson, Ga., wife, Charlotte Ray Orr, Chattanooga, and son-in-law, Ken Stansell, Perdido Key, Fl.

He is survived by his son, Jim Orr (Dee Dee), Round Rock, Tx., daughter Lori Stansell, Perdido Key Fl., grandchildren, Trey Stansell (Lindsay) Signal Mountain, Will Stansell, Chattanooga, Mary Morrow (Josh), Tomball, Tx., and Katie Orr, Round Rock, Tx.

Funeral services will be at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Visit www.heritagebattlefield.com to share condolences with the family and view memorial tribute.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (www.michaeljfox.org) or the charity of your choice.

The family will receive friends 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24, at Heritage Funeral Home, Battlefield Parkway.

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