William Rivers
William Rivers, 77, passed away on Thursday, September 2, 2021, in Chattanooga.
You might know him as: “W.O”, “William”, “Blimp”, “Rivers”, “Bill” “Big Diamond" ,"Buddy”, Dad, Uncle, Father-in-law and Grandad. He wore many hats. He sat on the board of Southern Credit Union, general foreman for Norfolk Southern Railroad, past president of Class of ‘61 Howard High School, Entrepreneur, Deacon, Trustee, Transportation coordinator for Westside Baptist Church and President of West Kentucky Vocational School, Paducah, Ky.
He was born on Sept. 8, 1943, to the late Hattie Ellerby Rivers-Taylor and William O. Rivers, Sr., in Chattanooga, where he was raised.
He graduated from Howard High School and West Kentucky Vocational School. He was employed by Norfolk Southern Railroad and retired as general foreman.
He was married to DeHavilland Bonner for 58 years, and to that union three children were born, William Oscar III, Andrea Aneika, and JaJuan Oscaesar. They were faithful members of Westside Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon, Trustee, and over the Transportation Ministry.
He was preceded in death by his father, William O. Rivers, Sr.; mother, Hattie Ellerby Rivers-Taylor; son, JaJuan Rivers.
He leaves to mourn, a devoted wife, DeHavilland Bonner Rivers; daughter, Andrea Aneika (Dale) Boyd; son, William O. William Oscar (Donna) Rivers, III; siblings; Alfred (Sharon) Taylor, Alice (James) Keith, Marion Taylor, and Dwight Ash; brother-in-law, Rev. J. C. (Wylene) Bonner, IV; sister-in-law, Mrs. Juan Bonner (Jerome) Chambers; grandchildren, William Fordham Rivers, Dale Boyd, Dylan Boyd, Christian Rivers, JaJuan Rivers, and Keyera Rivers; Six great grandchildren; nephews, Alfred Taylor, Marcus Taylor, Daron Taylor, Cameron Taylor, J.C. Bonner V., Oba Bonner, and Durius Bonner; nieces, Devonne Fowlkes, Jovan Keith, Sheronda Taylor and Ornisha Harris. A host of cousins, relatives and many special friends.
The first public viewing will be held from 2- 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, at Westside Baptist Church, 4001 Hughes Ave., Chattanooga Tn. 37410.
The second viewing will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18, at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37404.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM Sunday, September 19, 2021, in the chapel of Hamilton Memorial Gardens, Hwy 153, Chattanooga Tennessee, 37343
Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.