William East
July 12, 1943 — November 22, 2017
William Dwight East
Born in Macon County, TN on July 12, 1943
Departed on November 22, 2017 and resided in Gallatin, TN
Life Celebration: Alexander Funeral Home and Cremation Center Friday December 1, 2017 4:00pm to 8:00pmSaturday December 2, 2017 10:00am to 11:00amWilliam Dwight "Bill" East was born in Macon County, Tennessee on July 12, 1943 to Joseph Eldridge and Bessie Wagoner East. He had two brothers - Joel and Ronnie.
Mr. East (Bill's father) donated some of his farm land to the county for a school. With a school right across street, Bill (or Dwight as he was known) began attending school at the ripe old age of 4. He is the only person (he thought) who attended 3 years of first grade.
You know the song, "Got My Education Out Behind the Barn." Well, he got his "education" in the broom sage field at age 4 (naked) with an older women (age 6). AND, I will leave it at that.
Upon graduation from High School, he left the farm and headed to the big city. He didn't get very far down the road before the old car died. He lived in his car in East Nashville, living on 2 Krystals a day.
Soon, he found employment and a rooming house. He told a little white lie to stay at the boarding house. The elderly lady rented ONLY to Diesel School students. So, guess who said he was attending?
However, sharing a room with 17 other guys turned out to be an adventure. He found he had to take a shower at all hours of the early morning to get a HOT shower. Clean clothes turned out to be a premium. Bill had to sleep with the new clothes under his pillow to keep them from being stolen.
After working various jobs, he was employed by DuPont. He then attended ITT and received his engineering degree. For 36 years, he worked for this company; retiring at 58 during a buy-out.
During his first marriage, he had one son, Richard Allen.
In 1992, he married Connie Ragan, who had 2 sons of her own, Charles Robert and Phillip Wayne Ragan. For 25 years he and Connie had a wonderful life. As he moved into his final heavenly home, their love continued.
He was a wonderful grandfather to 6 beautiful granddaughters and 3 handsome grandsons; and a great grandfather to two great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters. His love of life and his values have been instilled in all of them. His legacy will forever live on through all of them.
Mr. East was a member of Lambuth Memorial United Methodist Church; King Solomon Lodge and Bethpage #5 Order of the Eastern Star.
Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 2, 2017 from the chapel of Alexander Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Rev. Eugene L. Martino, Jr. officiating. Visitation will be Friday, December 1st from 4:00-8:00 p.m. with a masonic service at 7:00 p.m. Also, visitation will be Saturday, December 2nd from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lambuth Memorial United Methodist Church or American Heart Association. Alexander Funeral Home & Cremation Center in charge of arrangements located at 584 Nashville Pike in Gallatin, TN. (615) 502-0011 Online condolences may be submitted at alexandergallatin.com
One Comment Mike Kemp December 1, 2017 at 6:50 pmAbsolutely the best neighbor anyone could ask for. Would give you the shirt off his back. He will truly be missed. Rest in peace my good man. Rest in peace.
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