William Lee Oldham III
William Lee Oldham III, 86, of Chattanooga passed away on March 4, 2024.
Lee was born in Nashville, and moved to Chattanooga at age 11. He graduated from Central High School in the famous Class of 1956. After graduation he joined the U.S. Army under the Reserve Act of 1955 and served active duty at Fort Jackson, SC. Upon release from active duty, he served in the Army and later Air Force Reserve for twelve years.
Lee started his long business career working for Associates Loan and Investments Co. as a Loan Adjuster. Several promotions later, he earned the role as Manager at their Jackson, MS location. Of the ninety-two branch offices across the United States, he was the youngest manager in the company at age twenty-three. While living in Jackson for six years, Lee attended the University of Mississippi (Jackson), in pursuit of his business degree.
He returned to Chattanooga and worked as a sales representative for Premier Industrial Corporation. This experience led him to start his own business, Maintenance Supply Company Inc, in 1968. Later he also started Colt Chemical Corporation and Oldham Companies of TN. He successfully operated these businesses for thirty-two years. After the sale of his business, Lee purchased the Longhorn Restaurant on North Market Street. This ensured that the employees would be able to retain their jobs. He operated the restaurant for ten years.
Active and playing sports his entire life led him to golf. During his golf career he played in over one-hundred tournaments. He served as Chairman on many committees for various fundraising organizations. His biggest enjoyment was playing golf with his close friends at Chattanooga Golf and Country Club, where he was a member for over forty years.In addition to golf, Lee was very active in Men’s Slow Pitch Softball in the seventies as both a player and later a team sponsor. His team played in many tournaments all over the southeast and enjoyed great success and a lot of fun.
Lee was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for over fifty years. He served as an usher and member of the brotherhood of St. Matthew’s.
Lee was preceded in death by his father William Lee Oldham Jr., mother Etta Vinson Oldham, brother Donny “Ray Bob” Oldham, sister Bettye Oldham Gaines (Harold), and daughter Melissa Oldham Shaw.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 45 years, Kirby Pease Oldham, daughters Pamela Oldham Roper (Tim), Natalee Oldham Hindman (Clay and granddaughter Mary Clayton), Mackenzie Vinson Oldham, Tucker Borum, sister Peggy Oldham White (Bill), brother Elliston Vinson Oldham, sister-in-law Rhonda Oldham, and several other special grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family is thankful for the outpouring love and support during this challenging time. We ask you join us to celebrate the generous love and spirit of Lee Oldham.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church located at 305 W 7th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402.
There will be at reception held at the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club at 3:30 p.m.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Chattanooga for their love and care during the last weeks of Lee’s illness.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
You may share condolences to the Oldham Family at www.heritagechattanooga.com
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.