Bill Ring

William H. Ring, 74, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, after fighting a courageous battle with Melanoma Skin Cancer for the past nine months.Bill was surrounded by his loving wife and two daughters at a local Hospital Hospice Unit when the Lord wrapped his loving arms around him to carry him home.Bill was born in Maysville, Ky., on Nov. 10, 1936. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1960 at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where he served in the JAG Office for 26 months. Chattanooga welcomed Bill to the area in 1980 after leaving Lexington, Ky. to own and operate a coal company, T-I-K-A Energies. Bill strip mined coal for nearly 12 years when he changed venues to pursue his true passion and obtained his General Contractors License and purchased Choo Choo Pallets. From then he was able to utilize his license to build and renovate houses which lead him to eventually build warehouses to lease out to others. Not only was Bill an accomplished contractor he was the president of the Tennessee Forestry Association and Chairman of the Board where he received the Outstanding Leadership Award. Bill has been a member of the Chattanooga Golf & Country Club where he also served as a past Board Member. He was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel while residing in Lexington and also received the Distinguished Citizen Award.Bill was an avid University of Kentucky fan and his love and support for the KY Wildcats lead him to become the president of the Kentucky Wildcat Club. Bills love for sports began early in life when he became a referee for High School Football and Baseball. He was also asked to referee for the Ohio Valley Conference, the KIAC Tournament and SEC basketball games for many years. He also was an umpire for the World Softball Tournament that was held in Aurora, Ill. Bill continued to support his love for any game as he was a gracious sponsor for many local Children Athletic Programs in order for youth to be able to fulfill their love of the game.Bill was a member of the Hamilton County Sheriffs Association and a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus.Bill and his wife, Yvonne, were golf enthusiast their entire marriage where they both held memberships with the USGA. They both enjoyed playing golf at the Chattanooga Golf & Country Club for over 31 years and also held a membership at Black Creek Golf Club when it opened approximately 12 years ago.Bill is survived in life by his loving wife, Yvonne M. Ring; daughter, Christa R. and son-in-law, David F. Nichols of Mason, Ohio and daughter, Robyn R. Judd, of Chattanooga. He also leaves behind two beautiful grandchildren, William "Parker" Judd and Cari Lynn Nichols. Bill was the youngest of seven siblings and is survived by his sister, Pauline Kreidler, of Simpsonville, S.C. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.He was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church where he attended mass regularly. Father George Schmidt is to preside over the service.Visitation will be held Monday, Jan. 17, 2011, at the Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel. The family will receive friends from noon2 p.m. and 48 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18.There will be a Gravesite processional at Chattanooga National Cemetery at 2 p.m.The family would like to show their sincere appreciation to Dr. Derek Holland, Oncologist, his Research Nurse, Tiffany Cason, along with the entire nursing staff of the COHA facility at Memorial Hospital. We would also like to give deep appreciation to Dr. Frank Kimsey, Radiologist, and his nursing staff at Memorial Hospital. In addition, our family would like to extend our most heartfelt appreciation for the exemplary care and support given by Hospice of Chattanooga and the Hospice Unit at Memorial Hospital. Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather and loyal friend who is gone but not forgotten as we will cherish fond memories of one extraordinary man.In honor of Bill Ring, the family requests donations be sent on his behalf to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Dr., P.O. Box 19269, Chattanooga, TN 37416; or The American Cancer Society, 850 Fort Wood St., Chattanooga, TN 37403.Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com.Arrangements are made by Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.