William "Bill" Eldridge Thacker

William "Bill" Eldridge Thacker, 69, of Fall Branch, died Monday, December 28, 2009, at Indian Path Medical Center after a long fight against Alzheimer's.

Bill was born in Hawkins County on May 10, 1940, to Hubert and Estell Fields-Thacker. He married the love of his life, Minervia "Ann" Jenkins-Thacker, on August 30, 1958. Bill served in the Army National Guard. He was an avid outdoorsman and was past-president of the Outdoorsman Club, East Tennessee Sportsman Federation, and Cherokee Rod and Gun Club. He was retired from Johnson-Hilliard. Bill was of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 47 years, Minervia "Ann" Thacker, and his parents, Hubert and Estell Thacker.

Bill is survived by his son, Roy "Junior" Thacker and wife Laura; daughter, Robin Browder and husband Terry; grandson, Dustin Thacker and wife Megan; granddaughters, Torrie Cox and husband John, Faith Browder, Tiffany Browder-Cox and husband Michael, and Whitney Browder; nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Barbara "Bernice" Lawson and Nancy Fields and husband Carl; brothers, Bob Thacker and wife Shirley, Wayne Thacker and wife Sue, and Gary Thacker; mother-in-law, Dorthy Faye Pearson; brothers-in-law, James, Jenkins and wife Linda, Roger Jenkins, Larry Jenkins, Jeff Jenkins and wife Neddy, Clay Anderson, and Jackie Anderson; sister-in-law, Clara Lou Robinson and husband Burns; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Fall Branch. A funeral service will follow at 8:00 p.m. with Pastor J.W. Depew officiating.

Burial will be on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Homeland Baptist Church Building Fund; 2504 Hawaii Street; Kingsport, TN 37664.