James William Stinnett (Bill), Jr., was born on November 1, 1929, and died on January 7, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Yvonne Stinnett, daughters Lynn Stinnett Williams (Don) and Vicki Stinnett of Nashville, and son, James William (Jim) Stinnett III (Peggy) of Ashland City, TN, grandchildren Christopher Andrew Williams and Laura Lynn Williams, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irene and J.W. Stinnett, Sr., sisters Barbara Latta and Jean Neal Shoulders, and brother Robert Thomas (Tom) Stinnett.
Bill Stinnett was a U.S. Navy Veteran and served as City Judge in Ashland City until his death. He never retired and was possibly the oldest serving judge in Tennessee until his recent illness. Judge Stinnett was a graduate of East High in Nashville, attended MTSU and graduated from the YMCA Night Law School in 1967 where he attended evenings while working the midnight shift at Ford Glass Plant. In 1969, Bill relocated to Ashland City, TN, to begin practicing law. In 2012, he and his partner, Bill Wilkinson, received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Nashville School of Law.
He coached, managed and played baseball with teams including U.S Navy/Pensacola, Nashville Bridge Company, and American Legion Post 82, a World Series team. He inspired many of his peers and players and was inducted into the Nashville Baseball Old Timers Hall of Fame and the Cheatham County Sports Hall of Fame.
His funeral will be on Tuesday, January 14th at Noon in the Chapel of Cheatham County Funeral Home, 117 Elizabeth Street, Ashland City, Tennessee 37015. Burial will follow in EverRest of Cheatham in Pleasant View, Tennessee. His family will receive visitors from 4-6 pm on Monday and Tuesday from 10am until 12 noon at Cheatham County Funeral Home LLC.
As a member of Ashland City Lodge #604, he was a 33° Mason. Bill will be honored in a Masonic Service at Cheatham County Funeral Home on Monday, January 13 at 6:00 pm. The public is invited to attend.
The family would like to thank the community of Ashland City and Scottsboro Baptist Church for its support of Bill and Yvonne as they remained active for so many years, and special friend Brenda Duke for always being present. The family asks that any memorials be made to the Shriner’s Hospital or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Cheatham County Funeral Home 615-792-2552 online condolences at cheathamcountyfh.com
This obituary was published by Cheatham County Funeral Home.
This obituary was published by Obituaries provided free for the community.
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