William French Deaderick Jr.

William French Deaderick, Jr., of Jefferson City, formerly of Oliver Springs, after 98 years of circling the sun, God decided it was time for Bill’s heart to rest on Friday, February 11, 2022. Bill was born January 23, 1924, on top of Windrock Mountain (Anderson County) in a coal mining camp to William and Queenie (Jones) Deaderick, Sr. His older brother was J. W. Deaderick and sister Mary D. Miller. The family moved to Oliver Springs after the death of his mother. He graduated from Oliver Springs High School as Class President and Quarterback in 1943. A few weeks later he reported to duty and joined the U. S. Army. He wore bottle thick glasses so he memorized the eye chart, took off his glasses, and was inducted into the 82nd Airborne, 325th Infantry Company H where he became an expert in rifle, mortar, and machine guns. Bill rode to Europe on the Queen Elizabeth, which had a female Captain, with 18,000 other troops. Being a deeply religious man, he knew God would take care of whatever he faced. While in Ireland, General Eisenhower spoke to the men, Bill got to shake his hand and told him he would see him in Berlin, when he got to Berlin, he again shook Ike’s hand as one of the few men that survived. On D Day plus 1, he rode a glider with 34 other soldiers from Ireland to France where it landed about 30 miles off course. From there he was in the Battle of the Bulge, Operation Market Garden in Belgium, on to Berlin, and liberated one of the many Concentration Camps. In January 1946, he returned to a very different East TN, a newly built heavily guarded Oak Ridge was in his way home, but he convinced the guard he was going home. He met the love of his life a few years later, Wilma Hoskins, finally married her, and they would be celebrating their 67th wedding anniversary this coming April 11th . They have one daughter, Celeste D. Blackburn who is way too much like her dad in looks and stubbornness. He and Wilma moved to her family’s dairy farm in Dutch Valley, where Bill quickly became like a son to Hugh and Elsie Hoskins. His love for farming quickly grew, and they did this for several years. Being mechanical, he later became a maintenance foreman for Alcoa Aluminum in Alcoa, Colman Furniture Co., in Pulaski, VA, and TN Electro Mineral in Greeneville, TN. Later he would return home to the beloved farm. Time caught up with them both, the farm was sold, and they moved to Jefferson City to be close to their daughter, Celeste, her husband, Albert Blackburn, and the best Christmas present they ever received was their granddaughter, Abigail Elise Blackburn. During this time, he helped on their dairy farm, traveled with his beloved Wilma, and enjoyed his time on earth. On his 98th birthday he received a Quilt of Valor from Kathleen Van Orsdel, Vicki M. Watson, and Tonie Collins. Special family members include Martha Walls, in Florida, whom he nicknamed “Butch” and adored like a sister, and her family. Cousin, Louise Ann Winningham of Knoxville, and nephews, David and Douglas Deaderick. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the V.F.W. Post #5266, 2503 East Andrew Johnson Highway, Morristown, TN 37814. Celebration of Life with Military Honors will be held Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, with Pastor Mark Brown and Rev. Greg Lindsey officiating. Arrangements by Fielden Funeral Home, Inc., New Market, TN.

William French Deaderick Jr.

January 23, 1924 - February 10, 2022