William Richard Golden

William “Bill” Richard Golden passed away on his 66th birthday, October 17, 2014 at Piedmont Hospital Atlanta. Born in 1948 in Long Branch, New Jersey, he grew up the oldest of four in Fair Haven, New Jersey. Bill headed south to the University of Tennessee-Knoxville as a freshman in 1966. He saw a “blonde vision in purple” at a toga party in 1967 when he met the love of his life, Patricia “Patsy” Faris Finks Golden. They married in 1969 and celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on September 6, 2014. Inseparable, Patsy and Bill enjoyed lots of hobbies including tennis, travel, boating, golf, and fine wine, but especially spending time with each other. A season football ticket holder for many years, Bill loved the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and always proudly wore his class ring. A leader in the wine industry since 1971, Bill worked for Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery as National Accounts and Southern Regional Manager since 1992. Bill and Patsy loved to entertain and host gatherings. Always the life of the party, Bill had a gift of talking with friends and making them feel they were the only people in the room. Bill was very proud that both his sons, Chris and Thom, graduated from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Bill is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Patsy and his sons Chris (wife Susan) of Memphis, TN and Thom (wife Bridget) of Hendersonville, TN. Bill was predeceased by his parents Richard Alfred Golden and Shirley Elizabeth Kimbel. Bill, known as Pop-Pop to his five grandchildren, savored every moment and wanted to see them grow up. His special grandchildren included Chris and Susan’s children, Allie (7) and Jake (4) and Thom and Bridget’s sons, Andrew (8), James (5), and Patrick (5). He is also survived by his siblings, Sharon Golden Vicki (Rodney) of Lantana, FL; Susan Golden Schumann (Chris) of Fair Haven, NJ; and Don (Kathy) Golden of Fair Haven, NJ. He was also blessed with Patsy’s special siblings, Robert (Ana) Finks of Brentwood, TN; Betsy Finks Ligon of Erin, TN; and Mary Ellen Finks Tigert (Robert) of Nashville, TN. Bill and Patsy loved their home at Lake Burton in northeast Georgia and also lived in Snellville, Georgia from 1982-2014. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or the charity of your choice. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 21 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Cheek House, First Presbyterian Church, 4815 Franklin Pike, Nashville and the service will be Wednesday, October 22 at 11:00 am in the sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 1101 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN. Arrangements under the direction of Marshall Donnelly Combs Funeral Home, Nashville, Tennessee.