Maj. Gen. William Doyle Tidwell Jr.'s Obituary
Born on June 4, 1925 William Doyle Tidwell, Jr. was the third child born to Ella Mai and Doyle Tidwell, Sr. and the first boy. Doyle Jr. was raised in the Nashville area, calling Goodlettsville his home during his high school years. While a student at Goodlettsville High School, Doyle Jr. met a beautiful girl named Elizabeth Ann Russell, also a student at Goodlettsville. Shortly after graduating from high school, Doyle Jr. was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort McClellan, AL for basic training then at Fort Benning, GA for infantry officer training. His training complete, Second Lieutenant Doyle Tidwell, Jr. was deployed to the Philippine Islands at the ripe “old age” of 18 as a combat platoon leader. When his active-duty obligations ended in 1947, Doyle Jr. came home and married the love of his life, Ann Russell, in April 1947. Doyle Jr.’s military career would continue in both active and reserve Army commands for more than 40 years, ending with retirement in 1983 as a two-star general. While engaged in his various military responsibilities, Doyle and Ann built a home together, which soon included two children – Bill and Teresa – and eventually ten grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren and one, soon-to-be-born, great, great grandchild. Doyle Jr. also played a vital role in the founding and growth of Goodpasture Christian School and was a member of the board-of-directors for over forty years. Doyle Jr. also found time, as a civilian, to build and manage a supermarket business for seventy years employing hundreds of people and serving a dozen different communities. As a life-long member of Rivergate Church of Christ, Doyle Jr. was engaged in countless charity efforts to benefit the Goodlettsville community. Doyle Jr. is survived by his wife of 76 years, Ann, his son, Bill, and his brother Bob, grandchildren Angie (John) Janicek, Emily (Dan) Skufca, Stephen Tidwell (Gina Markee), Kathryn (Justin) Strong, Meredith (Stuart) Marchetti, Trey (Mary) Moore, Caitlyn (Jimmy) Layman, Alan (Jody) Stewart, Megan (Chad) Kurzynske, Corey Mann, great grandchildren Hayley (Tyler) Johnson, Makayla (Ricky Evert), Annsley and Will Kalamon, Kristen and Katie Skufca, Taylor and Wylie Tidwell, Olivia and Luke Strong, James, Caroline and Wells Layman, Mary and Elizabeth Moore, Elijah, Amos, Samuel Kurzynske, Jakob Stewart and a great, great grandchild to be born in four weeks. Doyle Jr. is preceded in death by his parents, Ella Mai and Doyle Tidwell, Sr., sisters Wilda and Aileen, brother Rex and daughter Teresa. “Grandaddy Doyle” was a loving, funny and gracious father, grandfather and great grandfather. His wonderful spirit and love of family, his fondness for family parties, fireworks and picnics, his enthusiasm for Christmas, his belief that Krystal hamburgers are a sacred part of every family event and his fudge – all will be missed by so many, but never forgotten. Funeral arrangements: Visitation and funeral service at Rivergate Church of Christ on July 28, 2023; visitation from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon. Funeral services 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm. Military burial beginning at Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery beginning at 2:45 pm.
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