 |
George W. England Nashville, TN QCWA # 26939 Chapter 105 |
George W England passed from this life on April 11, 2020, at the age of 95. Mr. England was born on July 14, 1924, in the Hassell's Creek community near Lyles to George Washington England and Ruby Pearl Brown England, both of whom preceded him in death. Following World War II, he was a resident of Nashville for the remainder of his life.
He is survived by a daughter, Nancy (Reed) Fite, Hermitage, Tenn., and son, G. David England, Nashville; three grandchildren: Jamie Fite, Indianapolis; Melody (John) Gurley and Tim (Charissa) England, Nashville; three great-grandchildren, Isaac and Andrew England and Amelia Gurley; and numerous nieces and nephews.Mr. England attended Lawson School in Brown Hollow and one year at Hickman County High School, where he met his future wife, Wylodean Downey. In 1942, Mr. England enlisted in the U.S. Army, and he faithfully served his tour of duty with the 151st Infantry, 38th Infantry Division "Avengers of Bataan" in Guam, the Philippines and New Guinea. For his service he was awarded the Cross of Military Service by Valdosta 471 United Daughters of the Confederacy in 2011.
After mustering out in November 1945, he married the "love of his life" in January 1946 and they remained devoted to each other for 72 years until her death in 2018. He graduated from Nashville’s Hume Fogg Technical High School with an emphasis in refrigeration in 1947 and began servicing drink boxes for Royal Crown Bottling Co. Over the next 41 years, he rose in responsibility with the company until he retired as vice president of production in 1989.He was a member of Vultee Church of Christ for nearly 70 years, serving faithfully as a deacon, Bible class teacher and volunteer in many church life activities. He supported the Girl Scouts, helping to chaperone and lead Nancy’s scout troop as they camped and earned badges, and was David's Cub Scout pack leader.Mr. England was a dedicated Amateur Radio Operator with the callsign K4UMW. He called the Tennessee Single Sideband Net on 3,980 Mhz for nearly 50 years and was also active in their 146.31/91 two-meter repeater group.In his retirement years, he immersed himself in woodworking. He was happiest when he could build something for someone and gift it to them. His home and his children's
homes feature many evidences of his furniture-building talents. He took pride in
every piece he made and loved to show others his "brag book." "Our family lost the best friend we've ever known," Nancy said.
"Dad is now singing with the angels and hugging our Mom again. He missed her so much. We thank God for allowing him to be our Dad, teacher and friend. Mom and Dad are back together, so their love story continues."
In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. England was preceded in death by sisters Annie Louise England, Hickman Co., Tenn., and Elvia Allene England Rial, Dickson, Tenn.
The family is grateful for the many professionals and friends who have helped Mr. England, particularly in the past year, specifically those at The Bridge of Hickory Woods and Life Care Center of Hickory Woods, and special friends Chris and Lori King, Chris Mathews and Melissa Labonge, and George and Olivia Gordon.The family suggests that memorial contributions be directed to Churches of Christ Disaster Relief (https://disasterreliefeffort.org/) and the Living Water Project (https://www.livingwaterwells.org).
