William Poe

William B. Poe, Jr. Born in Atlanta, Georgia on December 6, 1940Departed on October 31, 2018, and resided in Nashville, TennesseeIt is with great sadness that the family of William "Bill" Burt Poe, Jr., announces his passing on October 31, 2018, at the age of 77.A native of Atlanta, GA, Bill spent his childhood between Atlanta, Nashville, and Miami with his beloved brother, Jerry, mother Olga, and father Burt Sr. Bill graduated from Georgia Tech University in 1962 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering before entering the Navy, serving on the USS Zellars DD-777 from 1962-1964.Continuing his ongoing passion for music after leaving the Navy, Bill toured Germany, where he played with the Hometowners USA, an American military base house band. There, he met Charlie Pride and joined him as a steel guitar player on his first American tour. He went on to play with country artists such as Billy Walker, Crystal Gayle and more. While in Nashville, he also attended David Lipscomb University, where he became certified in education. After meeting his wife, Jan, in Florida in 1981, Bill and the family returned to Nashville permanently in 1993. He taught history and science at Cameron Middle School and played an active role in the Civil Air Patrol until his retirement in 2003. In the years since his retirement, Bill refocused his work and interests in music and production. Throughout his career, Bill remained a lifetime member of the Musician's Union, and was a friend and mentor to all musicians.Bill is survived by his wife and four children, Michelle, Scott, Jessie, and Brett, and grandchildren, Henley, Gunton, Dalton, and Della. The family would like to invite all who knew and loved him to celebrate Bill's life at the American Legion, Post 82, in Inglewood, on January 6, from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m . Please contact the family for details.