Thomas "Bill" Carlton

1945 - 2025

Thomas "Bill" Carlton

Born: September 28, 1945 | Died: October 31, 2025

Thomas "Bill" Carlton, 80, passed away on October 31, 2025, surrounded by family at his home in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee. He was born on September 28,1945 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Viola and Thomas Carlton. Bill lived many places in Florida, Illinois, Georgia, and Tennessee during his life. Wherever he went there was laughter and joy following.

He attended Chattanooga State Technical Community College and earned a degree in law enforcement. Bill had a distinguished career serving as the Police Chief for Graysville, Tennessee and as an officer for the City of Dayton and Rhea County Sheriff's Departments. In addition to law enforcement, he was a self-employed general contractor for over 30 years. Outside of work, he taught the apprenticeship program for the local painters and paper hangers union. He was a scout master with the Boy Scouts of America. He served many terms as the president of his local FOP chapter. From police work, to painting and plumbing, to creating bird houses, porches, or even full house builds, he was always helping someone.

He was passionate about his faith and his love for his church family, Summer City Church of God. Bill never missed an opportunity to share Jesus with others. His love for his savior was the only thing that surpassed his for people (and his cats Mere, Louise, and Penny!). The way he cared for his precious wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and cats was unmatched. His family and friends will always hold dear his brilliant sense of humor, generous spirit, kindness, and his desire to travel and be constantly on the go. There was truly no one like him, and he is deeply loved and missed.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Wilma; his children, Samantha Baird (Robert), Vivian Schorle (Ryan) and Renee Hixon (Terry); his grandchildren, Mary Patterson, Ashton and Robert Tugwell, Anna-Meredith and Jacob Ingram, Jack Hixon, Adam Hixon, Alicia Baird, and Adam Baird; and his beloved great-grandchildren, Madison, Mallory, Clark, Rivers, Rose, Matthew, Axell, Daphne, and Thomas. He is also survived by his siblings Jerry Carlton (Linda), Diane Robinson, Dean Carlton (Sarah) as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Viola and Thomas Carlton, his sister Jean Rothwell (Bill), and his brother-in-law Larry Robinson. A special thanks to Pastor Freddie Marler and family friends Sharon Schorle, Terence Clay, Gwen Bush, Bo Kaylor, and his youngest (and newest) friend Davis Carlton Smith. These precious people have spent hours and days ministering to Bill, and his family, with love, food, and prayers. Their contributions to his life are too numerous to mention.

A celebration of his life and funeral service was held on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 2:00pm in the chapel of Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home, 1670 Market Street, Dayton, TN 37321. Burial followed in the Buttram Cemetery. Visitation was held Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at the funeral home.