William "Bill" Rhea, Jr.

WILLIAM A. "BILL" RHEA, JR., resident of Metairie, Louisiana, native Fayette Countian and United States Veteran, died at 1 A.M. Friday, September 28, 2007, at the Ochsner Foundation Hospital in Metairie where he had been a patient for one week. He was 86 years of age and died following a brief illness.


Funeral services for Mr. Rhea were conducted at 3 P.M. Sunday, September 30th at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with Rev. John Michael Krech, Pastor of the Somerville First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Interment with military honors followed in the Somerville City Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Home-Main Chapel.


Mr. Rhea was born April 8, 1921, in Somerville. He was preceded in death by his parents, William A. Rhea, Sr. and Jessie Scott Rhea, early residents of Fayette County. Educated in the Fayette County public school system, Mr. Rhea was a graduate of the Fayette County High School in Somerville, Class of 1939 and continued his education at the University of Mississippi at Oxford.


Mr. Rhea served as a fighter pilot in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and was married August 24, 1947 to the former Martha Davis of Somerville, who survives. He was a Presbyterian in early life and joined the Methodist Church after marrying the daughter of Rev. H.W. Davis, a longtime Methodist Minister who served in Fayette County for a number of years.


A resident of Metairie since 1954, Mr. Rhea served as a real estate investment executive for the Prudential Insurance Company from 1947 until his retirement in 1982. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Metairie where he held numerous church offices and positions of leadership. Known for his patriotism and dry wit, Mr. Rhea will be remembered for his intellect, his love for life and his devotion to family members and friends. Although a resident of Louisiana, Mr. Rhea had deep roots in Fayette County and continued to consider this his home and favorite place to visit.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Deborah H. Slattery (Jerry) of New Orleans, LA; his son, William Humphreys Rhea (Cathy) of Chester, VA; his brother Reuben S. Rhea of Somerville and six grandchildren.
Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Patrick Rhea, Andrew Rhea, Bo Rhea, Harris Rhea, Jourdan Rhea, Matt Rhea and Scott Rhea.


The family request that memorials be directed to the Somerville First Presbyterian Church, 12940 S. Main, Somerville, TN 38068; or to the Somerville Cemetery Association, C/O Town of Somerville, P.O. Box 909, Somerville, TN 38068.