Bill “Chief” Robertson, 68, of Sevierville, passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2011.
He was a graduate of Sevier County High School and Middle Tennessee State University, where he was a star football player. He was an avid golfer and an honored athlete.
He was currently on staff at Bradley Central High School and was serving his 15th year on the Cleveland City Council.
He was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Sevierville.
His life was dedicated to helping others and has impacted the lives of students in Tennessee for 44 years, with 33 of those years being in Bradley County. He has been a teacher, coach and administrator, but more than that, he has been a friend to everyone. The sounds of “Aeeee,” “Hey Big Guy” and “Atta baby” will resound in our ears and hearts forever.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Sally Robertson; sister, Evelyn Abbott; brother, Irwin Robertson; aunt and uncle, A.J. and Blanche Keeler; grandsons: Lucas and Connor Gill.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Robertson; daughter and son-in-law, Tommi and Jon Gill; grandchildren: Heath, Madison and Isabella Gill; sisters: Louise Loveday, Carolyn Huskey, and Wanda Ramsey; stepsons: Teddy and Charlie Lockerby; several cousins, nieces and nephews; special friends, Julia and James Householder, Elaine H. McIntosh and Gail H. Reeder.
To honor his life there will be two services. The family will receive friends from 3 to 6:30 p.m. today, April 29, 2011, with the funeral to follow at 7 p.m. at North Cleveland Church of God, Cleveland, with the Revs. Jim Gibson and Curtis Wells officiating.
The family will also receive friends from noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2011, with the funeral to follow at 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 317 Parkway, Sevierville TN, with the Rev. Curtis Wells officiating.
Family and friends will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1, 2011, at Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens, 220 Emert Street, Pigeon Forge, for entombment.
Serving as pallbearers will be David Williams, Bob Barker, Hulet Chaney, Bud Branam, Joe Parker, Ed White, Everette Mashburn, Robert Allen and Jack Ogle. Honorary pallbearers will be coaches, teachers, administrators, friends and members of the Cleveland City Council, the SCHS Letterman’s Club and fellow players from MTSU.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bill Robertson Scholarship Fund, in care of SCHS Foundation, P.O. Box 4124, Sevierville, TN, 37864. Scholarships will benefit a student athlete and/or future educator from Sevier and Bradley Counties.
Arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com).
