William Edward Sullivan Jr.

“Bill” was born in Sardis, Ms on June 13, 1927 to Willie Thomas Sullivan and William E. Sullivan, Sr. His family moved to Memphis when he was in junior high, and he graduated from Central High School. After graduation, he joined the Coast Guard serving as a radio operator in Hawaii until the end of World War II.

Upon returning home he attended “Memphis State” and after a few jobs and moves, settled into a long career with Sears Roebuck and Co. back in Memphis. One day while crossing Main Street, Bill noticed a pretty girl nearby and found out his friend knew her. An introduction followed and after several months of courtship, he married Mary Blanche Harrell. Five years later their daughter Denise was born. Bill was a great “girl dad” who was always up for a board game or financing a new outfit, and the only one courageous enough to act as driving instructor. He also had a huge soft spot for animals. No one would’ve been surprised to see him pick up a stray and go to great lengths to locate its owners.

Years passed and he retired from Sears as a division manager. With more free time, Bill became very active in his church, Eudora Baptist, serving as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, Vacation Bible School volunteer and choir member. He and two of his best friends began an ICU ministry at Baptist Hospital East. Each month they loaded up coolers with sandwiches, drinks and snacks for the families of ICU patients, getting to know them and praying for them.

Bill’s two granddaughters were his pride and joy. Granddaddy and Nanny loved to babysit and stuff them full of more goodies than they were allowed at home. At Thanksgiving he always said he was thankful that all the family could be in town together and got along so well.

Several years after losing his first wife to cancer, Bill married Neva McBride, a wonderful lady from his church. They had fourteen years together before Neva passed away. Through both of his wives’ illnesses, he was a faithful caregiver...even managing to figure out how to preheat the oven at age 73!

In his spare time, he enjoyed golf, bowling with his long-time team, and in later years a mean game of dominoes.

Bill leaves behind his daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Kenny Shackelford, granddaughters Sara Shackelford (Ethan) and Annie Coates (Sam), and three great-grandchildren Vivi, Fen and Charlie (who knew him as “Wild Bill”), and number four on the way. He also leaves many precious friends at Town Village Audubon Park, home for the past eight years.

Bill was a member of Ridgeway Baptist Church.

Family and friends will gather Monday, January 29, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119, followed by a funeral service from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM.

Donations may be made to Ridgeway Baptist or the Salvation Army.

Online condolences, floral tributes and directions may be found through www.memphisfuneralpoplar.com.