William “Bill” Audley Varnell
William “Bill” Audley Varnell, 75, of Whitwell, Tennessee passed away Sunday, May 16, 2021 at Oakbend Medical Center in Richmond, Texas.
William was a graduate of Sewanee Military Academy Class of 1963, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Class of 1967.
William had an eclectic career working in the Chattanooga area at the South Pittsburg City Schools, Orange Grove Center, Goodwill Industries, Project Overview, and Selling Life Insurance, in Acworth, Georgia at the Cherokee County Schools, in Oak Ridge, at the Oak Ridge City Schools and at his own business, A Good Train Shop.
William was an avid railfan and enjoyed volunteering as a Conductor and Tour Guide at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum from the 1960s to the early 2000s and at the Secret City Scenic Railroad.
William was a Master Mason, Past Master at Whitwell Lodge, member at Hill City Lodge of Chattanooga, and Faith Lodge of Oak Ridge. He was active in Eastern Star and Past Royal Patron at Amaranth in Chattanooga and Oak Ridge.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Faye Scoggins Varnell; daughter Mary Grace Varnell Jubb (James Christian Jubb) and grandchildren James Benjamin Jubb and Thomas William Jubb; sons Daniel Allen Varnell (Sarah Elizabeth Moody Varnell) and grandchildren Grace Margaret Varnell, Allison Suzanne Varnell, and Elizabeth Allen Varnell, and James “Jimmy” Larry Varnell (Aaron James Fisher); cousin James “Jimmy” Hart Varnell (Doris Jo Varnell).
He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. William Daniel “W.D.” Townsend Varnell and mother, Nellie Pauline Condra Varnell; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Allen Fort Scoggins and Edna Grace Browder Scoggins.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Tuesday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m. at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum located at 4119 Cromwell Road, Chattanooga.
Receiving of Friends will take place on Tuesday, June 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Chattanooga Funeral Home, East Chapel located at 404 S. Moore Road, East Ridge.
A brief graveside service will be held Wednesday, June 2 at 5:00 p.m. CST at Condra Memorial Cemetery located at 19129 TN 28, Whitwell.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Visit https://www.tvrail.com/ or mail to Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
