1921
William
2010
William Hutson
April 8, 1921 — December 21, 2010
William Ralph Hutson, 89, of Sparta, passed away Dec. 21, 2010, at NHC Healthcare of Sparta.
Mr. Hutson was born on April 8, 1921, in the Cole's Chapel community of White County, to William Finley Hutson and Millie Zula Hitchcock Hutson.
In l958, Mr. Hutson was one of the founding members of the West Sparta Church of Christ where he served as a deacon and an elder for many years. He loved this church and attended every service until his hospitalization on December 7, 2010.
Mr. Hutson was well known for community involvement and his love of White County. He served on the Board of Alderman, the Board of Education, and was a General Sessions Court Judge during the earlier part of his career as a local business owner. During his tenure as alderman he was instrumental in Sparta's ability to purchase its own electric system from McMinnville Electric.
He was also a force behind the city's organized sports program for children by establishing the Little League Baseball programs in Sparta and White County. He became a district administrator for Little League and traveled throughout Tennessee and the United States in support of this program. Mr. Hutson was a TSSAA referee for football and basketball for many years. He was a member of the Sparta Jaycees and the Sparta Rotary Club where he served as president and achieved 30 years of perfect attendance. Mr. Hutson owned and operated Volunteer Specialty, Inc., in Sparta for 60 years.
Anyone who knew Mr. Hutson also knew he was an avid sports fan, following the Vanderbilt Commodores, Sparta Warriors, and the Atlanta Braves. He loved his family and was an avid supporter of everything in which they were involved.
Mr. Hutson was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Roger Hutson; two sisters, Lucille Schwenker and Nell Johnston; one grandchild, Jenna Smith; and one son-in-law, David Dake.
Survivors include his beautiful wife of 63 years, Mary Elizabeth Clark Hutson; three daughters, Bettye Ann Hornsby, of Chattanooga, Jane Elizabeth Dake, of Knoxville; and Susan Clark Smith and husband Harry, of Jonesboro, Ga.; one son, William Ralph Hutson II and wife Ann, of Vestavia Hills, Ala.; 12 grandchildren, Leah Teague (Clint) and Michael Caputo, Cameron, Mary Claire, Catelyn, and Cathryn Jayne Dake, Zachary, Caroline and Preston Smith, Elizabeth Hutson McCown (Chris), Shelby Hutson, and William Ralph Hutson III; three great-grandchildren, Ethan and Aidan Teague and Jaelyn Dake; one brother, Bobby Hutson and wife Jonelda; and one sister, Ruth Teeple and husband Lewis, of Sparta.
The family will receive friends at West Sparta Church of Christ, beginning at noon, on Dec. 23, 2010, followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. Officiating will be Bro. Bobby Wilhite, and interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery immediately following the service.
Thurman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Hutson was well known for community involvement and his love of White County. He served on the Board of Alderman, the Board of Education, and was a General Sessions Court Judge during the earlier part of his career as a local business owner. During his tenure as alderman he was instrumental in Sparta's ability to purchase its own electric system from McMinnville Electric.
He was also a force behind the city's organized sports program for children by establishing the Little League Baseball programs in Sparta and White County. He became a district administrator for Little League and traveled throughout Tennessee and the United States in support of this program. Mr. Hutson was a TSSAA referee for football and basketball for many years. He was a member of the Sparta Jaycees and the Sparta Rotary Club where he served as president and achieved 30 years of perfect attendance. Mr. Hutson owned and operated Volunteer Specialty, Inc., in Sparta for 60 years.
Anyone who knew Mr. Hutson also knew he was an avid sports fan, following the Vanderbilt Commodores, Sparta Warriors, and the Atlanta Braves. He loved his family and was an avid supporter of everything in which they were involved.
Mr. Hutson was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Roger Hutson; two sisters, Lucille Schwenker and Nell Johnston; one grandchild, Jenna Smith; and one son-in-law, David Dake.
Survivors include his beautiful wife of 63 years, Mary Elizabeth Clark Hutson; three daughters, Bettye Ann Hornsby, of Chattanooga, Jane Elizabeth Dake, of Knoxville; and Susan Clark Smith and husband Harry, of Jonesboro, Ga.; one son, William Ralph Hutson II and wife Ann, of Vestavia Hills, Ala.; 12 grandchildren, Leah Teague (Clint) and Michael Caputo, Cameron, Mary Claire, Catelyn, and Cathryn Jayne Dake, Zachary, Caroline and Preston Smith, Elizabeth Hutson McCown (Chris), Shelby Hutson, and William Ralph Hutson III; three great-grandchildren, Ethan and Aidan Teague and Jaelyn Dake; one brother, Bobby Hutson and wife Jonelda; and one sister, Ruth Teeple and husband Lewis, of Sparta.
The family will receive friends at West Sparta Church of Christ, beginning at noon, on Dec. 23, 2010, followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. Officiating will be Bro. Bobby Wilhite, and interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery immediately following the service.
Thurman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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