Bill McAfeeBill McAfee, who served as a Tennessee General Assembly representative for 24 years, died Saturday.
McAfee, 84, represented the 27th district for the Tennessee General Assembly and had deep ties in Chattanooga. He attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and worked at News Channel 9 and News Channel 12.
Former state Rep. Richard Floyd, R-Chattanooga, said he knew McAfee for about 30 years. He admired his loyalty, his dedication to his job and ability to articulate his feelings. But most of all he'll miss his friendship.
"I love Bill McAfee as a dear friend," Floyd said. "My life is much better because God allowed me to know Bill."
McAfee graduated Red Bud High School in Gordon County, Tenn., where he excelled in baseball. After attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, McAfee served in the Georgia National Guard as a first lieutenant. He then got a job at Lockheed Aircraft in Marietta, Ga., before beginning his TV career.
"He had a very booming voice," Floyd said.
After his career in broadcasting, McAfee was elected to the Tennessee General Assembly in 1976 where he served until retiring in 2000.
He's known for extending Highway 27 from Signal Mountain Road to Spring City, Dunlap and moving toward the Kentucky line, which took 14 years. The highway was dedicated to him on Sept. 21, 2000, for his efforts in extending the road.
"You never knew anybody that took his work more seriously than Bill," Floyd said.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday and 1-2 p.m. Tuesday at North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
A celebration of McAfee's life will be officiated by Dr. Fred Steelman at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
The McAfee family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in McAfee's honor to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.
McAfee is survived by his wife, Janice McAfee; granddaughter, Caty Clark McAfee; stepchildren, Maureen (Jim) Morrison, Kathleen (Tim) Collins and Kevin (Jan) McGregor; 15 step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Cindy McAfee, and a step-grandson, Ian Majoras.
Contact staff writer Evan Hoopfer at ehoopfer@timesfreepress.com or @EvanHoopfer on Twitter or 423-757-6731.