William Porter “Bill” Chesnutt died, Monday, December 31, 2018, at home peacefully surrounded by family and friends in Athens, TN after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease at the age of 80.

Bill was born on October 5, 1938 in Englewood, Tennessee. A graduate of McMinn County High School in 1956, Bill attended North Carolina State University and the University of Chattanooga, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Bill served his country honorably in the United States Army Security Agency from 1961 to 1964 after which he returned home to work for his father at Niota Textile Mills. He retired in 1995 after serving as President and CEO. He also served on the board of the Dycho Chemical Company from 1996 to 2018.

He married Linda Gene Faris in 1968. Married for over 50 years, Bill and Linda had three children, whom they encouraged and inspired to pursue their passions and live fulfilling lives. Bill and Linda travelled the world together and shared many wonderful adventures.

Bill had many friends and was known among them for his helpful, humorous and sometimes mischievous nature.

Bill was a lifelong learner, a trait for which he was greatly admired by family and friends. He was a musician, an instrument-rated pilot, a certified USCG Captain, a woodworker, a talented marksman with the Army Sharpshooter designation, a successful businessman, and often a fearless early adopter of new technologies.

Bill loved boating and fishing and was a skillful navigator on the river and on the sea. After retiring, he and Linda spent the colder months on Marco Island, Florida where he regularly participated in the sailing regatta and numerous fishing expeditions. After growing tired of the long journey to Florida, they built a house on Watts Bar Lake where they hosted many festivities and made countless memories with family and friends.

Bill was a Christian and a member of the Keith Memorial United Methodist Church in Athens, Tennessee. He looked forward to listening to the sermons and to fellowship with members.

For their efforts, care, and dedication to his well being, the family would like to especially thank their caregivers, Renee, Hannah, Krystal, Heather, Glynn, Shonda, Holly, and Brenda of Golden Touch; Randy Burger, Dr. Craig Riley and his wonderful staff; and Amedisys Home Health Care and Amedisys Hospice.

He  is survived by his wife, Linda Faris Chesnutt; his children, William Faris Chesnutt and his wife, Heather, and daughter, Sloane, of Charlotte, North Carolina; Lee Anne Chesnutt-Jones and her husband, Paul, of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Lindsey Porter Chesnutt, his wife, Monica, and two boys, Elijah and Ezekiel of Sweetwater, Tennessee; his sister, Dorothea (Dottie) Chesnutt Bryant and her children, Laura, Janie, Paul, and Anna; sister-In-Law, Carol Roberts, her husband Joe, and their children, Lauren and Justin; brother-In-Law, Steve Faris and his wife, Laura; and Bill’s canine companion, Violet. He is preceded in death by his father, William Porter Chesnutt, Sr. and his mother, Etoile Lillard Chesnutt of Athens, Tennessee.

A funeral service will be conducted, 2:00 pm, January 4, 2019 in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with Rev. David Graybeal officiating. The committal service will follow in Cochran Cemetery,167 Co. Rd. 479, Englewood, TN 37329. The family will receive friends from 12:00-1:30 pm Friday at the funeral home prior to the service. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Bill's life.
Pallbearers will be Charles Pierce, Paul Jones, Tracy Simpson, Paul Bryant, Otis Pannell, Joe Roberts, Randy Burger, and Rick Lay. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Crockett, Jerry Smith, Van McCamish, Justin Roberts, Bill Biddle and Steve Faris.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1, Athens, TN 37371-0001; or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777; or to a charity of the giver's choice.