William "Billy" Cordell Grimsley

William Cordell “Billy” Grimsley was born on June 28, 1934 in Monterey, Tennessee to Cordell and Emogene Sampley Grimsley. He was their firstborn child and became big brother to seven children.

In 1951, he graduated from Monterey High School. He went on to graduate from Berea College in Kentucky, and interestingly, serving as the football coach there while attending class full-time. It was there that he earned his B. S. in Science. His Master’s Degree was earned at Tennessee Tech, and later his Doctorate in Biological Sciences, along with a Plus 45 was attained at MTSU.

Billy joined the United State Army in 1958 and served honorably until 1961. Interestingly, while at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, he briefly served with Elvis Presley.

Columbia Central High School is where Billy began his thirty-one year teaching career. Mr. Grimsley is affectionately remembered by many students who learned under his tutelage. While at Central, Billy only missed one day, in all of his years’ of teaching. This achievement was because he loved teaching, not just because of “duty”, even teaching summer school. He also was involved in sports, serving as the tennis coach for many years. For all thirty-one years that he taught at Central, he also kept the scoreboard for both football and basketball, and never missed a single game. In 1988 he was named TSSAA Coach of the Year. Not only did he teach at CHS, but also taught Biology at Columbia State, in addition to teaching driver’s education. He also worked with inmates at Turney Center in Only, Tennessee, helping them to work towards their G. E. D.s.

Billy loved to challenge his mind outside the classroom as well, being an avid reader and crossword puzzler. He also was a Tennessee Titans and UT Football fan.

Personally, Billy really came alive when his grandchildren were around. Panama City Beach was a favorite destination for the family. He loved his family dearly. He enjoyed fishing with his brother Tom and son Billy. He enjoyed visiting with friends and his retirement was as fulfilling as his career had been.

Mr. Grimsley passed away after a long and rewarding life, at the age of 83, on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Vane’ssa (Kenneth) Purdom and Billy Grimsley; Phyllis Grimsley, mother of his children; grandchildren: Logan (Alexis) Purdom, Megan (Grayson) Proctor, Shelby Grimsley, Savannah (Cody) Grimsley and Samuel (Krisann) Grimsley; great-grandson: Dawson Wayne Stafford; and siblings: Tom (Frances) Grimsley, Jack (Linda) Grimsley, Robert Grimsley and Rebecca (Roy) Howard. He was preceded in death by his parents: Cordell and Imogene Grimsley; and his brothers: John and Charles Grimsley and sister: Sue Grimsley.

Funeral services for Mr. Grimsley will be held on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 12 Noon at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia. The family will visit with friends on Tuesday from 10: a.m. until service time at Noon. Megan Proctor, Tom Grimsley, Logan Purdom, Vane’ssa Purdom, and Eddie Rogers will officiate. Military honors to be provided by American Legion Post 19.

Honorary pallbearers include special friends: Page Chamberlain, Tom McFarland, Janice Owens, Brenda and Mike Johnson, former and current teachers at Central High School. The family would like to give thanks to caregivers at The Lantern at Morning Pointe of Columbia, caregivers at The Oaks Wing at Life Care Center of Columbia, and the staff of Hospice Compassus.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.williamsfh.com .