He was preceded in death by his wonderful wife of 45 years, Virginia, and his mother, Margaret Humphries Gault.
Bill was very devoted to his family.
Bill is survived by his son, Jim of Signal Mountain and Robert (Cheryl) Gault of Fairfax, VA; grandchildren, Jordan (Jessica) Gault, Hailey (Chase) Jones, and Carson Gault; great grandsons, Graham and Hudson Gault. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Teresa Huggins, nephew, Paul (Terri) Huggins and nieces, Julie (Bill) Daves and Catherine (Donny) Hastings.
Bill was a believer in Jesus Christ and was a member and deacon of First Presbyterian Church.
He was a native of Chattanooga and attended Third District Elementary, Lookout Jr. High, Chattanooga High and the University of Chattanooga from which he graduated in 1952. After four years with the Southern Railway System he began a successful career in insurance claims management, first with Interstate Life for 23 years and then Provident Life for 17 years, where he retired as Vice President in 1997. For several years after retirement he provided consultant services to numerous law firms throughout the southeast.
During his insurance career he was elected Chairman of the Southern Claims Conference in 1973. He also served on the life and group committees for the International Claim Association.
In the 1970s he was a member of the Downtown Sertoma club and was instrumental in the establishment of the first Hearing Aid Bank for the indigent hearing impaired. His work on this project led to his receiving a special Service to Mankind Award from Sertoma in 1975.
He served on the board of directors of the Chattanooga Hamilton County Speech and Hearing Center and served as President of that board in 1973.
In the 1950s he was well-known in local fast pitch softball and in 1956 he pitched for the Chattanooga Gas Flames on their first state championship team.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 pm on Monday, April 10, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home and 10 to 11 am on Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church, 554 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404.
A Celebration of Bill’s life will follow at 11 am on Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Chris Ehlers officiating. Burial will be private for the family on Tuesday at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to World Missions, First Presbyterian Church, 554 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37402 or Hearth Hospice, 513 Georgia Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
