Bill Sesko, of Winsted, Connecticut, came to Chattanooga to marry Iris Copeland Sesko in 1958. This week after 62 years together he went to be with her again. Bill passed peacefully on July 30, 2020 after a battle with lung disease. He was 86 years old and passed less than three months after his wife, Iris.
Bill was preceded in death by parents, William A. and Matilda Sesko of Winsted, CT, sister, Bette Carver and daughter, Mimi Dawson Mackie. Bill served in the Air Force as a ground radio operator in Korea. Professionally, Bill began at American Lava Corp as a Failure Analysis Lab Manager, operating a then state of the art electron microscope. As American Lava became 3M Corporation, then GE and finally Coors Ceramics, he served four companies for 40 years, but never changed offices. Upon retirement, Bill devoted himself to golf, volunteer opportunities and his family. An avid golfer and longtime member of Creeks Bend Golf Club, he recorded multiple holes-in-one. He loved to cook and made excellent soups and spaghetti sauce and served the best breakfast in town. He was a docent at the Tennessee River Aquarium. Bill, “The Butterfly Man” was awarded “A Day of Recognition,” by the Governor for his contribution to Tennessee Tourism and his devotion to visitors in the butterfly garden. For many years, he also volunteered in the imaging department for CHI Memorial in Hixson. As charter members of St. Jude Catholic Church, Bill and Iris served as long-time ushers for the eight o’clock mass. Bill was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. Bill was described as a “genuine, gentleman” by many and will be truly missed. “Fairways and greens, Daddy.”
Bill leaves behind sister, Virginia Hotchkiss of New Hartford, CT, brothers, Robert (Sally) Sesko of Kokomo, IN and Richard Sesko of Jefferson City, CO, daughter, Sharon (Pete) Butler of Hixson, as well as Wayne and Cindy Mackie of Key Largo, FL, grandchildren, Caroline (Matt Pitroff) Phillips of Wilmington, NC, Hollis (Matt) Lamb of Chattanooga and Maycie (Tyler) Hammons of Birchwood, TN, Jenny (Aaron) White of Atlanta, GA; Tim (Renee) Dorris of Brooklyn, NY. He thoroughly enjoyed his great-grandchildren, William Hammons, Grady Hammons, Perri Lamb, Jackson Kelly, Case Phillips.
A memorial mass will be held at Saint Jude Catholic Church on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 11 a.m. Social distancing, masks and CDC Covid-19 measures will be respectfully adhered to.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Catholic Church.
Arrangements are entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415, lanefh.com, 423 877-3524.