William Harvey “Bill” Errickson, Jr.
William Harvey “Bill” Errickson, Jr. of Chattanooga, passed away January 20, 2021 from complications of COVID-19. He was born to Micheline Szymanski and William Harvey Errickson of Moorestown, NJ on April 29, 1943.
Bill was a one of a kind character with a tremendous zest for life, thousands of stories and a unique sense of humor. Growing up in Moorestown, NJ, he spent much of his youth working for local farmers and causing mischief, like painting his teacher’s pets with cow patties. He shared with his father a passion for hunting which bordered on obsession. He continued to hunt well into his life. He was stationed in Morocco while proudly serving his country in the Navy. The highly entertaining stories of his time there featured little red bikinis, custom linen suits, borrowing camels, and poker games in which he made a great deal of money. He liked to say he spent it on “wine and women and the rest I wasted.” Bill worked in telecommunications for the majority of his career. He was an especially gifted salesperson and an excellent negotiator. He enjoyed the challenges of his work and retired from Ringgold Telephone Company in 2008.
In the late seventies he moved his family to a small farm in Bradley County where as a gentleman farmer he raised cows, chickens, and pigs and made impractically enormous gardens that produced the most delicious corn and tomatoes ever tasted. He introduced his reluctant children to the joys of country living, wood fires, Coke and peanuts and riding around in the back of a big old truck. He served his community as a member and president of the Flint Spring Ruritan for several years.
In the early 2000’s Bill met his match and married her. Bill and Brenda made an excellent team and they built a life together filled with fun, great banter and golf. They enjoyed traveling, cruising Route 66 in their Thunderbird, and making yearly visits to Edisto Island which held a special place in his heart. He earned his new nicknames “Grandad”, “Roro” and “Papa Bill” and the affection of his grandchildren with water gun fights, stinky cheeses and blue crab feasts. Bill was an avid golfer and an unbelievable cook. His faith as a Christian which blossomed in his later years was very important to him and gave him a great deal of peace. He will be missed so much.
He was preceded in death by his parents Micheline and William Errickson, son William Charles “Casey” Errickson and nephew Ronnie Gasior Jr.
He is survived by his wife Brenda Errickson, sister Diane Gasior, daughters Eve (Mico) Mrkaic, Amy(Mike) Rackl, Leigh Ann (Jeremy) Hall and Kathy (Scott) Henze, niece Renee Gasior Bukowski, grandchildren: Frederick Alexander “Fritz” Rackl, Blake (Esme) Burris, Bradley Burris, Truett Goebel, Katie, Alex and Ashley Henze and many well loved friends.
A graveside service will be held at Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors on Friday, January 29 at 1:30 p.m. (EST) with Pastor Barry Hildebrandt officiating. National Cemetery requires face masks.
There will be no public visitation due to COVID.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project ( support.woundedwarriorproject.org) or Tunnels to Towers Foundation (tunnel2towers.org).
Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Creamtion Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson (423) 531-3975.