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John William Ezell
1929 - 2010
John William Ezell
1929 - 2010
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1929
DIED
2010
John Ezell Obituary
Passed away Monday, September 20, 2010.
He was the son of the late F. Miles, Sr. and Estelle Tune Ezell. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marilyn Eakes Ezell; daughters, Terrie (John) Robinson, Kim Owens and son, John W. (Janene) Ezell, Jr.; grandchildren, Beth (Ben) Miller, Clay (Leslie) Robinson, Kyle Robinson, Paige (David) Patton, Ashley Owens, Alex Ezell, Will Ezell, Eric Ezell and Abby Ezell; great-grandchildren, Elliotte Miller and Leah Robinson; brothers, Miles (Linda) Ezell, Jr., Roy (Marian) Ezell; sister, Bettye Thomas; aunt, Sara Young.
Mr. Ezell was born on June 18, 1929. He graduated from Donelson High School and attended David Lipscomb College. He was the son of a dairy farmer and grew up milking cows and delivering milk. Through his humble beginnings he learned the value of honesty and hard work and in 1950 he began his career in the family business, Purity Dairies, where he continued to work until his death. Mr. Ezell was named one of Lipscomb University's Business Men of the Year. He served on numerous boards including Adventure Science Center, Goodpasture Christian School, Lipscomb University, Lakeshore Estates, African Christian Schools, Boy Scouts of America, Tennessee Dairy Products Association, Master Dairies and American Cultured Dairy Products Association. He was a member of Richland Country Club. Mr. Ezell was an avid outdoorsman who loved golf, snow skiing and cycling. His true passion was photography. He took numerous trips all over the world riding his bicycle and taking photographs. He generously shared these with everyone he met greeting them with a smile and "Have a Blest Day." Mr. Ezell was an active member of Brentwood Hills Church of Christ. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 24 at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ, 5120 Franklin Pike. Visitation 4-8 p.m. Thursday, September 23 and 1 hour prior to service at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ. Private family burial. Active Pallbearers: Clay Robinson, Kyle Robinson, Will Ezell, Eric Ezell, Ben Miller, David Patton, Stan Ezell, Gil Ezell, Mark Ezell, David Thomas and Allen Thomas. Honorary Pallbearers: Dick Mehaffey, Bill Hardison, Bobby Gaw, James Brown, Clarence Daily, Jon Lowrance, Jim Thomas, Randy Lowry, Bennie Harris, Ron Rubin, The Son Seekers Class and Elders and Deacons at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lipscomb University, Lakeshore Estates or AGAPE. Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37204, 615-383-4754.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Christopher Aschnewitz
September 29, 2010
Bill we will miss you, but we will see you again in Heaven. I hope that in my life I can touch 1/2 as many people as you have been able to. My heart goes out to all the Ezell Family.
In Him
Andrea
September 28, 2010
Janene, I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your father-in-law. May God Bless you and your family.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. -1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
Dre (friend of Janene's mom)
September 28, 2010
Dear Marilyn and family. May God continue to be your source of comfort, guidance and understanding. I want to tell you how much I enjoyed my visits with Bill over the last 8 years or so. He passion for life, for travel, for photgraphy, for people, and for the Lord and the growth of His Kingdom were Inspirational to say the least. I know many have praised God for this kind, humble, and generous servant. He was true light to the world, and of great encouragement to us, his fellow travellers in the footsteps of our Saviour Jesus. I pray your memories of him will bring joy and comfort to each of you as you need it. Steve Raine - SPBC - New Zealand
September 25, 2010
My dear friend, you lit up everyone you came in contact with.....this was your gift.And now, we know that you are having your 'blessed days' with our Lord and Savior. You will be sorely missed by all who had the honor of knowing you.
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September 24, 2010
Thank you for your smiles and Good mornings and photographs.
For letting me see places that I will never see like you did, thru your eyes.
The beauty of God's world.
My friend this is not goodbye, just see you later.
September 24, 2010
Dear Marilyn, Kim, Terrie, & John......
Jim and I are so very sorry for your loss. Bill was such a kind and humble man that we will all miss; for he touched so many of our lives throughout the years. God blessed him with such a large, awesome family that loved him so very much. And now God has 'opened up' Heaven to welcome his devout servant Bill home, I have no doubt!
Our thoughts, prayers, love, and support will always be here for you all.
~Jim & Linda (Janene's mom)
John Compton
September 23, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
September 23, 2010
Marilyn and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. I will always remember Bill as happy and at peace with life, full of energy and love.Even though we may not visit every year, we know you are nearby and cousins we shall always be.Prayers for you and yours in the coming days. Love ya -Linda Wright Jordan and husband Kelvin
September 23, 2010
My husband tommy Gentry worked with Bill Ezell for Over 12 years and I worked with him for 2 years at Purity Dairies. We are going to miss the old goat and the memories. We will charious all the memories that my husband has of him.
Suzzanne Hagar Gentry
Roger Eldridge
September 23, 2010
For nearly a dozen years, it was my pleasure to do business with Purity Dairies as a milk cooperative manager supplying them milk. The Ezell family--Miles, Sr, Miles, Jr, Bill, and the sons Stan and Mark, were one the best examples of honorable, Christian family businesspeople that I have ever known in the country. I truly learned much from that family and the way they conducted themselves personally, and in business, and gave back to their community and church. It was truly my pleasure to know them and I have very fond memories of Bill and the rest of the family. May God's richest blessings rest upon you during this time of sorrow for those who remain behind, yet celebration for Bill and eternal life.
Becky Wallen
September 23, 2010
I have loved the Ezell family my whole life. Mr. Ezell has been an inspiration. His generosity and humility will always be remembered. I know the terrible void his absence will be for the family and all who love him. Terrie, Kim, Mrs. Ezell and all the family, God bless you with the assurance of his eternal reward and the confidence that he is awaiting your homecoming.
Donette Bales
September 23, 2010
Since the flood in May, I have had the opportunity to sit near Mr. Bill's office at Purity Dairies. Each and every day, he would come around to say "Hello" and sometimes to bring a beautiful picture from one of his many trips. I found out he liked chocolate and sometimes I would share candy bars with Mr. Bill. I already miss him here at Purity. I will be thinking of the family during this time of sorrow, but I also know he is now in God's heaven with all the other angels.
September 23, 2010
As with everyone, you never passed Mr.Bill or see him that he didn't smile and ask how you were doing. My heart and
prayers are with each of you and may your
days ahead bring you peace! Linda Hager
Wayne Gregory
September 23, 2010
Dear Mrs. Ezell and Kim,
When I read that Mr. Ezell has died I was saddened. The news immediately brought to my mind the impression he made upon me that brief time that I was able to be around him. He was always so kind and served as model for what it meant to be a Christian husband and father. Without calling attention to himself, he lead by example and was not afraid to live in accordance with the Gospel. I have always been grateful for the photo album he gave me as a high school graduation gift. All the photos he took himself and they captured many of the events that made those years so special and memorable. May God welcome him home and reward him eternal life.
I am so sorry for your loss and I pray that God will bless you and give you His peace.
Richard Dutton
September 22, 2010
To know Mr. Bill was to know truth. I have worked for Purity for 16 years and Bill always had a nice word to say. You knew where you stood with him. It was an honor to know and work for such a kind and honest man. God has called one of his angels home. He will surely be missed.
Debbie Rawson Harden
September 22, 2010
Terrie, Kim & Family-
We know God has us in His hands when we are blessed to be loved by such an amazing person as your father.
Debbie Davis
September 22, 2010
Mr. Bill always had a bright smile and kind word each time you saw him. He made you feel special and I never knew him to be anything other than himself. He loved people and sharing his world with them. I was lucky enough to be a part of the Ezell family by growing up at Purity and being an employee for over 27 years. I am the one blessed to have known Mr. Bill and am thankful for all the special memories.
norma mcgrew
September 22, 2010
dear john and janene,
i'm so very sorry for your loss. i share in your grief it is such a sad loss to lose a parent. janene, i have known your mom many years and she is my sister. i've known you and your siblings all your life. my prayer for you is perseverance
and comfort. may our Lord hold you in his hands and assure you of his love.
God bless each of you and your mom, john.
norma mcgrew
Martha Brooks
September 22, 2010
Mr. Bill will be sorely missed in the halls of Purity Daries. Mr. Bill could always make me smile on the most dismal of days.
We all traveled with him. Wherever he went around the world he would always share his trips with all through his photography. What a true pleasure.
"Have a blest day."
September 22, 2010
Marilyn and family, Bill was a great friend and fellow football player at Donelson High School. We are so sorry that he is gone but we will see each other again someday. We will be praying for you these next few days and are sorry we cannot be with you for Bill's service. We love you all.
Tom and Betty Cloyd
Nicole Goins
September 22, 2010
May God's loving arms bring you & yours comfort during this time.
September 22, 2010
To Bill's family. I have known the Ezell family since both our families were milk producers back in the 1930s, we in Neely's Bend and the Ezell family in the Donelson area. I played baseball against his team in the junior leagues, then met him again at D. Lipscomb College in 1948. Played ball with him at DLU one or two years, he a catcher and a great competitor. Knew him better afterwards at DLU and the city when Frances and I came back to Nashville in late 1961.Bill was a great friend, a Christian who loved the Lord, his family and wanted the best for everyone. He did a lot for DLU, and was a great friend of Christian education. When I saw the brief announcement of his illness in the Hillsboro Herald Sunday night, I began preparing a note of encouragement for him, then this news. I'm truly sorry, and so is my family. He supported me in so many things and the Church, Nashville, and so many good works will miss him. I know I will. God bless you all. Hank and Frances Hillin, Brentwood, TN
September 22, 2010
May you find peace in knowing that your loved one is safely in the hands of God and waiting for you to join him someday. We are profoundly sorry for your loss. The John Hutchinson family.
September 21, 2010
Dear Ezell Family,
I hope you find peace in knowing that Mr. Bill has gone home to the waiting arms of God. Even though he traveled all over the world, seeing God will be like seeing everything else for the first time. What a welcome he must have received.
I will always cherish his the beautiful photos he's given me over the years and remember him with a smile.
Even in the midst of sorrow, our hearts rejoice in the glorious hope of Heaven.
You're in our thoughts and prayers,
Karin & Jeff Wilkerson
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