Thomas William Estes Jr.

Thomas William Estes, Jr. died on July 3, 2021 at the age of 88. Bill was a native Nashvillian who attended Eakin School, Parmer School, Montgomery Bell Academy, and Vanderbilt University, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

As a teenager, Bill contracted Polio and went to Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation in Warm Springs, Georgia. His rehabilitation was successful until the last 25 or so years of his life when he developed Post Polio Syndrome.

Some of Bill’s fondest memories and lifelong friendships were those made through Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He served in various alumni roles and for 25 years Bill was a General Officer for National Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

Upon graduation from Vanderbilt, Bill went to work for T. H. Estes Lumber Company, a wholesale lumber company founded by his grandfather in 1907. Bill was active in the company for 65 years until he eventually retired in 2020. He was extremely proud to be part of a third generation company that was in business for over 100 years.

Bill loved Vanderbilt and was active in alumni affairs for years, including being President of the Nashville Vanderbilt Club. His love for all Vanderbilt sports was evident by his attendance at all home football and basketball games until his declining health prohibited him from climbing the stairs at Dudley Field and Memorial Gymnasium. He relished the memory of witnessing Vanderbilt’s football team beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 1984.

Bill was a former Director of the North American Wholesale Lumber Association, and former member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Nashville. He was also a member of Belle Meade Country Club and West End United Methodist Church.

Bill was a family person to the core. He loved his children and grandchildren beyond anything else. He was a fixture at all of his grandchildren’s sporting events and was always engaged in whatever they were involved in. He was particularly excited about his granddaughter’s upcoming wedding and all three of his grandchildren’s young work careers.

Prior to Google and Wikipedia, Bill was the family’s go to person for research. He had endless curiosity and energy to learn and share his knowledge with each family member. Later in life, he kept the family and friend’s engaged and entertained with his numerous emails and group texts. His dry sense of humor was evident even when using his electronic devices.

When not engaging with members of his family or friends, Bill could be found in his black leather chair with his dog, Kenzie, at his side watching Fox News together.

Through Bill’s diverse interests, various groups of friends, and family members he picked up several nicknames along the way. He was known to answer to Phi Estes, Willy Tom, Chi Chi, Bunko, and most affectionately, Grandy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Clay Sanders Estes, Thomas William Estes, Sr. and his sister, Sally Clay Estes Flinn (Lewis) of Richmond, Virginia. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Allister McDougall Estes, daughter Mary Walton Estes, son Alec Thomas Estes (Kathleen), grandchildren Allister Caldwell Estes (fiancé, Reed Hemphill Cook), John McDougall Estes and Thomas William Estes II.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the home of his son at 5125 Annesway Drive, Nashville, Tennessee from 4 - 6:30 pm Thursday, July 8, 2021. There will be a private graveside service at a later date.

In Bill’s memory, please consider a gift to Phi Delta Theta Foundation, 2 South Campus Avenue, Oxford, OH 45056 or Vanderbilt University (any department) Attn: Gift and Donor Services Office, Vanderbilt University, PMB 407727, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN, or American Cancer Society, 2000 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203