William “Ed” Allison, of Cleveland, the love of my life, went to be with our Heavenly Father on October 2, 2021. Ed passed with peace and grace in the presence of his family at a local hospital, due to Covid complications. He was 86, years young, born on Sept. 12, 1935. One of the things Ed enjoyed most was gathering with family and friends each week and weekend on our houseboat at Lake Ocoee. Many meals, cups of coffee and laughs were shared for more than 30 years. Beautiful memories were made and now treasured. He had a great love for boats, Lake Ocoee, camping and Panama City Beach Florida.
He served his country proudly. At the ripe age of 17 he joined the Air Force. He served in the Korean War and years of active duty, and four years in the reserves.
Family and faith were his landmarks of his life. Jesus was definitely his friend; Ed loved the Lord. He was a member of the Hopewell Baptist Church and served as a deacon earlier in life. He graduated from C.S.C.C. with a degree in criminal justice. He served 30 years with the Tennessee Highway State Patrol. After retiring from the state, he was engaged in several different business ventures. He bought and sold houses and he owned several school bus contracts for the county schools. He drove bus 34 and was better known by kids for years as “Mr. Ed.”
Ed was an active and engaged husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His deepest joy was showing love to his family. He was a remarkable example of selflessness; he always had kind words of encouragement. Ed had a deep value for family and was known as a friend to all. He was kind, honest and amiable. Ed will be deeply missed, but forever in our hearts.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Allison.
Ed is survived by his loving wife and soulmate of 25 wonderful years, Brenda Headrick Allison; children, Pam (David) Earnest, Elise (Jeff) Denniston, of Iowa, Tina(Russ) Carmichael and bonus children, Clay Headrick, of Dalton Ga. and Jon (Kim) Headrick, of Rome, Ga.; grandchildren, Edwin (Brooke) Plank, Chris (Shannon) Cassada, Courtney (Nicholas) Betancourt, Katie (Matt), of Jonesborough, Jacob (Anna) Denniston, of Iowa, Lexie, of New York, Lane Headrick, of Dalton, Hagen Headrick, of Dalton, Tristan Headrick, of Rome, Ga., Lily Headrick, of Rome, Ga. and Jamesen Headrick, of Rome, Ga. He was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren and several other special relatives; and special friends, Dewayne (Melissa) Nannery. Many thanks to his beloved care giver, Tereasa Ballew.
A Celebration of his Life service will be held at Hopewell Baptist Church on Sunday, Oct. 10. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m., with the service at 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in honor of Ed Allison to the Benevolence Fund, Hopewell Baptist Church, 188 Old Georgetown Road NW., Cleveland, Tn. 37312.
The family requests all visitors wear a mask and respect social distancing guidelines.