William Isaac Edwards III

William I. Edwards III was born January 1, 1931, in Nashville, Tennessee the only son of William I. Edwards, Jr. and Lucille Kennedy Edwards. He graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy and Vanderbilt University (cum laude). He was editor of the yearbook at both schools, vice president of Delta Kappa Epsilon, and an Eagle Scout. After serving two years in the US Army, he began a 42-year career with the First American National Bank, where he opened the Belle Meade Branch, worked in commercial banking in Nashville, was later head of the International Department, and started the Private Banking Division. He was a graduate of the American Bankers Association School for International Banking at the University of Colorado. During his banking career he taught Money and Banking classes at night for 24 years for the American Institute of Banking and was a contributor to their national textbook on the subject. After retiring from the bank as Senior Vice President, he worked for ten years for H & R Block.

Mr. Edwards served as president of the MBA Alumni Association, The Nashville Mental Health Association, and the Dede Wallace Association. He was also on the Board of Matthew 25, the Senior Citizens Endowment Trust Board, and a member of the Nashville City Club.

He was a regular bridge player from college on, was a member of the Vanderbilt Bridge club on White Bridge Road, and traveled to bridge tournaments in various parts of the country.

He is survived by his two sons whom he regards as his finest accomplishments, James Donelson Edwards (Stephanie), Dr. David Callender Edwards (Ashley), and by four grandsons, Samuel Winters Edwards, David Foster Edwards, John Herbert Edwards, and Jacob Page Edwards, and by his ex-wife and friend, Susan W. Edwards.

He was a long time member of West End Methodist Church where he was on the Official Board for ten years as Secretary of the Endowment Trust and active on various other committees. He moved to St. George’s Church later and became active there.

Visitation will be held on Saturday September 1, 2018 at 10:00 am with a funeral immediately following at 11:30 am at the Chapel at St. George’s Episcopal Church on Harding Road in Nashville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to Matthew 25 or St. George’s Episcopal Church.