William L. "Bill" Creech

William L. “Bill” Creech, 75, a longtime resident of Cleveland, TN passed away on Sunday morning, January 1st, 2017 at his home. Bill was born in Albany, Georgia on March 20th, 1941 a son of the late Alvah & Sarah Creech. Attended Albany High School where he met his loving wife & partner of 60 yrs Carol Ann. Together after a four year stint in United States Army, Bill & Carol in 1962 relocated to Cleveland Tn. where they raised their family & became serving & loving members of their community. Upon arriving in Cleveland, Bill was first employed with Interstate Life Insurance and then became a lifetime agent with Allstate Insurance Company while eventually owning his agency here in Cleveland along with Jim Brown. Bill & Carol promptly became deep rooted members of First Baptist Church. Bill spent countless years coaching football in area youth leagues touching many fine young men's lives of which he was very proud. Bill eventually became a TSSAA football referee and served the Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland for 30 plus years. Being from a very humble childhood in South GA, he personally understood the importance of a safe, positive atmosphere for children to grow. Another passion of Bill's was his community where he responsibly represented constituents of the 7th District of Bradley County for 16 years. Bill's other community involvement included longstanding memberships with Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Cleveland, 5 Points Museum, United Way, and Tennessee Auto Theft Committee. He was proudly honored with the Robert W. Varnell Jr. Award for his outstanding community leadership. Bill and Carol were also active Civil War re-enactors for many years. Bill also was a member of The Sons of American Revolution. Another activity he enjoyed was being on the local "Award winning longest running radio football panel." Bill loved boating and enjoyed spending time with family and friends on the water. He & Carol were also avid gardeners and loved sharing the fruits of their labors. They also were blessed to be able to travel extensively and have had great experiences seeing most of their beloved country as well as abroad. Bill cherished family as well as most everyone he interacted. He loved people and it was evident in his life. Bill is now experiencing his eternal Homecoming with His Savior and all before him. We think after his rejoining Carol he will most likely seek out Lee & Grant for his 2 cents!

In addition to his mother and father, Bill is preceded in death by his loving wife Carl Ann Creech and one brother Wayne Creech.
Bill leaves behind to cherish his memory; two daughters: Debbie Creech Webb (Joel) and Kim Creech; son Scott Creech (Debbie); seven grandchildren: Jeremy Creech (Katie), Ryan Creech, Haley Thurmond (Russell), Drew Webb (Allison), Kaitlin Webb Cordero (Stephen), Alyssa McAfee, and Kristen McAfee; two great grandchildren: Charlie Creech and Hattie Grace Creech.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, January 4th, 2017 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the First Baptist Church of Cleveland. There will also be one hour of visitation prior to the 12:00 noon service on Thursday.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00pm on Thursday, January 5th, 2017 at First Baptist Church Cleveland located at 1275 Stuart Road, Cleveland, TN with Rev. Jim Gibson officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Gardens with Kent Copeland, George Gray, Larry Holcomb, grandsons - Drew Webb, Jeremy Creech, Ryan Creech, Grandsons-in-law-Russell Thurmond, Stephen Cordero serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Isbill, Robbie Mantooth, Eddie Cartwright and Beecher Hunter's Sunday School Class. The service will conclude with full military honors.
You are invited to share a personal memory of Bill or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral and Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Creech family with these arrangements.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland or the American Cancer Society.