William John "Bill" Bartholomew

William John Bartholomew, the patriarch of the Bartholomew family, first in Memphis and later in Fayette County, died Saturday, January 24, 2015, at the age of 85. He and his wife, the late June Edwards Bartholomew, reared their six children in the Sherwood Forest area of Memphis, until they moved to their Fayette County farm in 1981. A consummate real estate attorney for almost sixty years, his greatest love was his family.

Born in Blytheville, Arkansas, to Byron S. Bartholomew and Cleo Langdon Bartholomew, Mr. Bartholomew’s family moved in his infancy to Memphis, where he attended Bruce Elementary, Bellevue Junior High, and Central High School (Class of 1947), where he played football and was voted Most Handsome. He married his high school sweetheart, June, and while starting their family, attended Southwestern at Memphis (Rhodes College) and completed his law degree at Southern Law University in 1956. His practice of law in Memphis was followed by his law practice in Somerville with his daughter, Julie, and he worked daily until his passing.

Mr. Bartholomew was active all his life, coaching his sons in Little League baseball, serving as their troop Scoutmaster, and playing softball with them for St. Mary’s Episcopal Church until in his sixties. He spent all of his time away from work with his wife and family, sons David and his wife, Kathleen Bartholomew, Sam (who predeceased him) and his wife, Becky Bartholomew, Joel and his wife, Beth Bartholomew, and Paul and his wife, Tricia Bartholomew; and daughters Julie Bartholomew and her husband, Randy Beckworth, and Laurie Bartholomew and her husband, Garen Shrader. He had 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, as well, forming a large and close-knit family.

Mr. Bartholomew is also survived by his brothers, Bart and his wife, Jackie Bartholomew of Springfield, Virginia, Charlie Bartholomew of St. Louis, Missouri, and his sister, Ann Lee, of Franklin, Tennessee, and countless nephews and nieces, with all of whom he was close. He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Amelia Bartholomew.

Mr. Bartholomew (or “Pop”, as he was affectionately known) always anticipated his family’s needs and met them without being asked. He was the most popular father among his children’s friends, and was well-liked by everyone with whom he came in contact. He took pride in his family’s accomplishments, which were chiefly due to his and June’s values and their support. He always thought of others before himself.

Pop most recently enjoyed attending First Baptist Church of Macon. His family and friends thought he was the smartest, wittiest, most fun-loving and most family-centered man they knew. He loved his farm and family, all of whom will miss his daily presence.

Services of Remembrance for Mr. Bartholomew were conducted at 11 A.M. Wednesday, January 28th at Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Bro. Jack Gresham, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Macon, officiating. Personal remarks were given by Mr. Bartholomew's grandson, John Bartholomew and Mr. Bartholomew's nephew, Bill Lee. Special music was provided by Dorsha Kennon and Billie Krauss. Interment followed in the Somerville City Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center - West Chapel at Oakland.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were Jeff Bartholomew, Adam Bartholomew, Brett Bartholomew, Dylan Bartholomew, John Bartholomew and Jackson Bartholomew.

Honorary pallbearers were Sam Bartholomew, Andy Bartholomew, Dominic Carbognani and Marco Carbognani.

The family requests that any memorials be directed to the American Heart Association, 2170 Business Center Drive, Suite 1, Bartlett, TN 38134.