William (Bill) Markham – Obituary

by Lynn McMillen
0 comment
William (Bill) Markham, age 76, passed peacefully into Heaven surrounded by his loving family early Monday, April 15 at his home in Decatur, Alabama. Bill, a veteran of the United States Navy, was born in 1942 in Huntsville, Alabama and is preceded in death by his parents, Odis and Estelle Markham. Bill is survived by his wife of 35 years, Gail Rodgers Markham, five children: Mandy Markham Johnson (Phillip), Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Marianne Markham, Moody, Alabama; Matthew J. Markham (Amanda), Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Stephanie Gamble Greenlee, Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Veronica Gamble Pettus (Patrick), Hartselle, Alabama; and 14 grandchildren. Bill was the evening news anchor and Crimestoppers reporter for WRCB-TV in Chattanooga, Tennessee from 1983 until his retirement in 2009. He began his career in radio in his home state of Alabama and later switched to television – reporting and anchoring in Montgomery, Alabama; Huntsville, Alabama; Paducah, Kentucky; West Palm Beach, Florida; Baltimore, Maryland; and Nashville, Tennessee. In Chattanooga, Bill was very active in the annual Pat Boone Bethel Bible Village golf tournament and the Share Your Christmas food drive for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. A Memorial service for Bill Markham, 77, will be Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 2:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Nathan White officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 17, 2019 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home. Bill waged a brave battle against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It is a progressive disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. With no known cause or cure, ALS challenges the human spirit and tests the courage of everyone touched by this devastating disease. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the ALS Association – Tennessee chapter or to Bethel Bible Village in Chattanooga. Visit www.billmarkhamlegacy.com to leave a message, view family photos and/or donate to the ALS Association in Bill’s honor. Peck Funeral Home 1600 Hwy 31 SW P.O. Box 427 Hartselle, AL 35640 256.773.2541 256.773.2543 (Fax)
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Related Posts

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.