William Durham

William Earl Durham, age 85 of Hendersonville, passed away, November 19, 2009. Mr. Durham was born June 27, 1924 in Indianapolis, IN to Elma and W.R. Durham, who preceded him in death as well as his son, William Earl "Rusty" Durham, Jr. and his brother, Carl Durham. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Martha Ann Gammons Durham; daughter, Judy Bob Sanders of Chattanooga; son, Randy Kelly Durham of Nashville; daughter-in-law, Lesa Durham of Hendersonville; grandchildren, Michelle Wesley Carter of Winter Haven, FL, Suzanne Allard Bayne of Cleveland, TN, Brian Sanders of Mocksville, NC, Jacob and Lucas Durham of Hendersonville; two great-grandchildren, Christopher and Tanner Bayne of Cleveland; two brothers, Jim Durham of Franklin, TN and Donald Anita Durham of Goodlettsville; four sisters, Mary Jean Dorris of White House, TN, Junie Scott of Tunica, MS, Virginia Kenneth Plumlee of Lakeland, FL, and Jerald Ann Bruce Johnson of Franklin, TN; brother-in-law, Tommy Deba Gammons of Nashville; sister-in-law, Camilla Durham of Hendersonville and Georgia Les Herron of Knoxville, as well as many nieces and nephews. Mr. Durham attended Hendersonville schools and played in all sports, being a member of the first Hendersonville High School Football Team. He served 23 months in the Army during World War II, serving most of his time in Italy. He received Bronze and Silver Stars for his service. After returning home, he worked for various companies including Genesco, which sent he and Ann to many locations before returning to TN, where he and his brother, Carl, purchased the lumber business from their uncle, John D. Durham. He remained active in W.R. Durham and Sons until his illness this year. He accepted Christ at an early age at New Hope Baptist Church, where he was baptized in a creek. Later he became a member of the Hendersonville First Baptist Church, where his parents were charter members. While living in Madison, TN, he was a member of Gallatin Road Baptist Church, where he became a deacon, Sunday school teacher, R.A. leader and men's group leader. In 1980, he and his wife returned to Hendersonville First Baptist, where he served as a deacon, greeter, and in other areas. Mr. Durham served Hendersonville for a number of years as an alderman, vice mayor and mayor as well as numerous boards and committees. Mr. Durham's family would like to thank the staffs of National Health Care and Hendersonville Hospital for the tender and compassionate care given to their loved one during his illness. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 PM, Sunday, November 22, 2009 from the Hendersonville First Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the Hendersonville Memory Gardens with nephews, Sanders and Dan Gammons, Anthony, Eddie and Rick Durham, and Bob Dorris serving as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be past and present employees of W.R. Durham and Sons Lumber Co., his Sunday School Class, deacons and front door greeters of the First Baptist Church, employees of National Health Care, Don Harned, Lena Meador, Paul Finch and many other friends. The family will receive friends from 2 – 4 and from 6 – 8 P.M., Saturday, November 21, 2009. Memorial contributions may be made to the Benevolence Fund at Hendersonville First Baptist Church. Arrangements entrusted to Hendersonville Funeral Home.