William Broadnax
William James “Bill” Broadnax, 91, of Chattanooga, passed away Friday, September 29, 2023, at his residence.
He was born July 4, 1932, to the late Brook and Minnie Cora Broadnax.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Ophelia Golson, and brothers, Edward Broadnax and Shannon Broadnax.
William was a native of Autaugaville, Al. He confessed Christ at an early age. He was a faithful member of St. Matthew Primitive Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon and Trustee Board Member. He loved and served the Lord all his life with such a pure heart. Some might call him a “straight-shooter,” because you could always depend on him to give his honest and genuine viewpoint. Supplementing that was his infectious sense-of-humor, where he cleverly had his little sayings that you might call “Pop’isms,” like telling you “Making all that ‘mer’ney (money),” or “cheeeeeeeeese.” The most special one, and you might call this a “family inside joke,” was when he both lovingly and affectionately called his beloved wife, Bessie, “Ba-beeee.” And, yes, just like that. He loved to crack jokes, especially when he was doing one of his favorite things: spending time with family, while eating his favorite food: Barbecue. Sweet potato pies were a close second. He worked as a truck driver for Falstaff for 25 years and retired from Chattanooga Patio and Pool.
He leaves to cherish his memories, wife of 25 years, Bessie Clack Broadnax; sons, Tobias “Toby” (Bobbie) Gallardo, Kenneth (Deidre) Clack, and Reginald (Rosa) Clack; daughters, Lisa (Frank) McWilliams and Karen (Charles) Jackson; grandchildren, Ciara Gallardo & {Clacks}--Kenisha, Brittany, Jasmine, Reginald, Jr., Kenneth “KJ”, Dekendra, Jeremy and Kristi Martin; great-grandchildren, Rushiah, Quinton, Kymberly, Kennedi, Zeke, Lauryn, Jax, and Aston; sisters, Velma Broadnax, Lea Bertha Taylor and Gloria Jean Mitchell; God grandson, Antonio “AJ,” brothers and sisters-in-law, James (Carolyn) Sanderfer, Larry (Laquette) Sanderfer, Dr. Clyde (Shirley) Sanderfer, Michael (Tammie) Sanderfer, Gerald (Regina) Sanderfer, Mahasin (Yusef) Abdullah, Mattie (Norman) Watson, and Elizabeth Gail Brown; special nieces and nephews who called him “Uncle Buddy,” and a host of beloved family and friends.
William will lie in state on Sunday, Oct. 8, from 12:30-5 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be on Monday, Oct. 9, at noon at St. Matthew Primitive Baptist Church with Pastor Clyde Sanderfer as the eulogist. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery.