Billy “Bill” Owen Krech
Billy “Bill” Owen Krech passed away peacefully on February 12, 2025, at his Chickamauga residence after a courageous battle with illness. He was 91.
Bill grew from humble beginnings in the cotton country of Gosnell, Ar. as the second youngest member of a large family. Large families were born of necessity, he often said, in order to handle the work needed to run the farms. In the 1950s, Bill proudly served our nation in post-war Germany as a member of a howitzer team in the Army. He returned stateside in 1956, immediately marrying his Gosnell sweetheart, Jane Raspberry, who lived just down the street on another cotton farm.
After a few years driving delivery trucks throughout the Midwest and a city bus-driving stint in California, Bill entered into the industry he would become most known for, roadbuilding. Initially working on the construction of I-55 in Arkansas, Bill’s work ethic quickly moved him up the ranks to supervise construction of many highway miles under President Eisenhower’s Interstate Act. He gradually moved East, supervising sections of I-40 in Tennessee, before landing as superintendent for the I-24 build from Monteagle Mountain to the Georgia line. He would eventually supervise many sections of I-24 through downtown Chattanooga and I-59 south to Rising Fawn, before moving to the construction and paving of GA State Route 2. A 1970-era aerial picture of a newly-built Battlefield Parkway, without a business or car in sight, hung on his office wall at Road Builders.
Working with Road Builders throughout the 1970s, Bill would supervise the construction and paving of hundreds, maybe thousands, of miles of TN and GA roads. In 1982, Bill joined Roger Talley to form Rossville Paving Company, later Southeastern Materials, and continued the tradition of quality asphalt paving throughout the area. He became a mentor to many other road contractors throughout his career.
His lifelong passion was cattle farming. He operated numerous cattle farms throughout his adult life, owning many head until a year before his passing. It was on cattle farms that he first taught his children the value of hard work. Additional hobbies include anything having to do with John Deere and watching his beloved Arkansas Razorbacks play football.
Throughout his life, a shake from Bill’s strong hand was an unbreakable bond of integrity and trust. His handshake was his contract, no document necessary.
A consummate family man, Bill cherished the opportunity to host large 4th of July family reunions for nearly 50 years at his beautiful Tennessee riverfront home. He would truly do anything for his family and friends.
Bill was predeceased by parents, Jesse Earnest and Christine Owen Krech, his wife of 46 years, Jane, granddaughter Bonnie Jane Lowery, special friend Kay Peterman, and several siblings.
He is survived by loving daughter Christy Krech, son Don (Bonnie) Krech, son Dean (Andrea) Krech, sister Ruth Raspberry, grandchildren and great grandchildren Tyler Krech, Lilli Tittle and Mason Krech and great, great granddaughters, Lorelei, Delilah and Remi. He leaves many nieces, nephews and countless friends who will remember his warmth and kindness he brought to everyone he met.
Mr. Krech was cherished by many and his absence leaves a deep void.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bill’s name can be made to The Gathering Church on Cloud Springs Rd, Fort Oglethorpe.
Visit www.heritagebattlefield.com to share condolences with the family and view memorial tribute.
Services will be held on Friday, Feb. 21, at 1 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home on Battlefield Parkway, the road built by Bill some 55 years earlier. Entombment will follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 4-8 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.