Bill Dudley

James William DudleyServices for James William ?Bill? Dudley, age 76, will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 16, 2009 in the chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors with David Powell officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens. Bill died on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at his residence after a long and courageous fight with congestive heart failure.Bill was born on December 31, 1932 in Jackson, TN, and was the son of the late John and Glatha Yarbro Dudley. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1952, and served in the National Guard. At the age of 19, he acquired the Esso Station on Airways Blvd, and was one of the youngest dealers in the history of the Exxon Corporation. There he met his future wife, Ruby Stallings, and they were married May 19, 1953. In 1966, he was named Outstanding Esso Dealer of the Year. He continued to operate the Esso station at that location until 1969, when he opened the Poplar Corner Exxon Station at Hollywood Drive and U.S. 45 Bypass. He later served on the Exxon Advisory Council for five years, and during his career received numerous awards for Excellence in Service and for outstanding contributions to the community. He had many friends and loyal customers over the years because of his generosity, honesty, and good-hearted nature. He was a member of the Jaycees, Optimist Club, Chamber of Commerce and the Forked Deer River Coon Club. He retired in 1999, and continued his hobby of fishing and spending time with family and friends at his cabin on the Tennessee River. He enjoyed sharing his fish and cooking with his friends.He is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Ruby Dudley, daughter, Deborah Collinsworth and husband Jim, his son, John William Dudley, grandson, Andrew David Turner and a brother, Leon Dudley all of Jackson, TN.He was preceded in death by his sisters, Alice Henry and Louise Only and a brother Danny Dudley.Pallbearers to serve will be Hot Elkins, Charlie Dudley, Travis Johnson, Joe Warren, Tom Hensley and Ken Lily.Honorary pallbearers to serve will be Warren Roberts, Jerry Ferguson, Jim Johnson and Bill Smith.The family will be receiving friends today from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Arrington Funeral Directors.