William Heymoore Schettler, M.D.

William Heymoore Schettler, M.D., 76, resident of Memphis, passed away Tuesday, September 9, 2014.

A Celebration of Life Service was conducted on Friday, September 12th at 11 A.M. at the  Highland Heights Presbyterian Church in Cordova with The Reverend James Quillin officiating. Interment with Military Honors was conducted at 4 P.M. on Saturday, September 13th at Emma Jarnagin Cemetery in Morristown, Tennessee. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center - Main Chapel of Somerville.

Born on February 20,1938, to Gustav Rudolph Schettler and Anna Belle Luttrell Schettler in Ashville, North Carolina, Heymoore was raised in Knoxville and Morristown, Tennessee. He graduated from Central High School in Knoxville in 1956 before obtaining his degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1958. He would continue his studies at the University of Tennessee, Memphis where he received his Doctor of Medicine in 1961. Heymoore completed several residencies in anesthesia including one at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He returned to Memphis to help found the Medical Anesthesia Group in 1967, where he practiced until his retirement in 2011.

In addition to his medical career, Heymoore received a direct commission in October 1958 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve.   He later entered active duty in 1963 at the rank of Captain. During this time, he served as a physician and Chief of Anesthesia in several army hospitals throughout the nation.  While serving his country in Vietnam, he acted as Chief of Surgery in the 3rd Field Hospital in Vietnam. Heymoore later was commissioned as a Major in the United States Army Reserve before being promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and then, ultimately, to Colonel.  He served as Commander of the 306th Field Hospital, the 330th General Hospital, and the 330th Combat Support Hospital.

On February 20, 1982, he married the former Kathleen Fineran of Memphis, Tennessee. Together they had two children, Ashley and John, joining Mollie and Bill. He loved his work and only retired a few years prior to his passing.  An active member of his church, Highland Heights Presbyterian Church, Heymoore enjoyed singing in the choir and serving as an Elder.  Additionally, he was a member of the Tennessee Society of the Sons of the Revolution. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, traveling the world, going for walks with his wife, and voraciously reading.

Heymoore is survived by his wife, Kathleen Theresa Fineran Schettler, his children, William Heymoore Schettler, Jr., and his wife Christy of Sunnyvale, California; Mollie Schettler Schott, and her husband Steve Schott of Saratoga, California;  Annabelle Ashley Schettler of Dallas, Texas; John Sevier Schettler of Alexandria, Virginia; one grandchild, Natalie Orup, of Saratoga, California; his sister, Barbara Schettler Massenburg of Wake Forest, North Carolina; his brother Luttrell Schettler of Morristown, Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gustav Rudolph Schettler and Anna Belle Luttrell Schettler, and his sister, Joanna Schettler Chamblee.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were John Chamblee, John Schettler, Will Schettler, Dr. Dennis Higdon, Dr. Al Maduska, Dr. Phil Pedigo and Bob Morgan.

The family requests that memorials be made to Highland Heights Presbyterian Church, 2855 Morning Sun Road, Cordova, TN 38016 or the Holston United Methodist Home for Children, 404 Holston Drive, Greeneville, TN 37743.