William "Bill" Crowell
William “Bill” Bristol Crowell, 64, of Hixson, Tennessee, passed away on September 14, 2022.
The son of John Murdoch Crowell, Sr., M.D. and Naomi Jernigan Crowell, he was born on April 7, 1958, in Chattanooga. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cynthia “Cindy” Murray Crowell and his parents.
Bill attended Brainerd High School and as a young man played drums in local bands. He became a popular DJ at Chattanooga nightclubs including Spanky’s, Skywalker’s and Dudley’s. He operated his own club, Gilligan’s, in Hixson in the mid-1990s. For more than 20 years, he owned and operated B.C. Graphics, designing and screen-printing custom T-shirts and other projects. He was also a licensed drone pilot and shot footage for private and commercial projects.
Bill was a radio-controlled helicopter and airplane enthusiast and participated in local, regional and national events. A ham radio operator, call sign N4WBC, he was active in the local amateur radio community and enjoyed making contacts around the world.
Bill will be remembered as easygoing and upbeat. He could putter in his shop for hours, loved to grill a steak or smoke a turkey, and was relearning the guitar. Though once known as “Wild Bill,” he was happiest enjoying his hobbies, being with family and friends, and sipping Jack Daniels while watching television or listening to music with someone he loved.
Bill is survived by stepdaughter, Melissa Moore (Mitch) and stepson, Chad Acuff; step-grandsons, Grant and Logan Moore and William and Jordan Acuff; brothers, John Crowell, Jr. and Tolbert “Bert” Crowell (Gail), sister Kathryn “Kaki” Crowell-Hilde (Bill); and devoted friend Jan Powell.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m. at Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga.
Donations can be made in memory of Bill Crowell to Erlanger Cancer Center at erlangerfoundation.org/cancer or mail to Erlanger Foundation, 975 East 3rd Street, Chattanooga, Tn. 37403.
Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415, www.Lanefh.com, 423 877-3524.