William Freels

William Guthrie Freels Jr. (Bill), 89, passed away in Mars Hill, N.C., on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. Bill was born Dec. 14, 1928, in Knox County, Tenn., to William Guthrie Freels Sr. and Margaret Elizabeth Rouser Freels. At 18 he volunteered to join the Tennessee National Guard and enrolled in the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. In his early college years he joined the Army, and as a part of the 1st Cavalry Division in the Korean War he attained the rank of Master Sergeant as a Sherman tank commander. He later returned to UTK and graduated in 1953 with a degree in accounting. Bill became a Certified Public Accountant and joined the TVA where over a career spanning more than 30 years he rose from an entry level field accountant in the Plant Accounting division to eventually lead the Power Accounting Division, which had previously been combined with the smaller Plant Accounting division. Bill was a member of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. He volunteered in his church and community, and enjoyed playing bridge and tennis. Many an early Saturday morning would find him contentedly casting a fishing line into a quiet lake. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Leslie Wier; and this past January by his beloved wife, Martha Holder Freels. Bill is survived by a sister, Libby Chapell; children, William G. Freels, III (Mary Jo), of Nashville, Anne Freels Bleynat (Edward), of Asheville, N.C.; and five grandchildren, Web, Elizabeth, and Luke Bleynat, and Ashlynn and Annalee Freels. A service will be held 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, in the memorial garden of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church followed at 11 by a celebration of Bill’s and Martha’s lives at the Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club. Memorial contributions may be made to the Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, 612 James Boulevard, Signal Mountain TN 37377, or to the charitable organization of your choice. These arrangements are announced by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist.