William Ira "Bill" Pegg Jr.'s Obituary
William Ira “Bill” Pegg, Jr., beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away unexpectedly on December 27, 2023.
He was the son of the late William Ira Pegg, Sr. and Janie James Pegg. Bill was born in New Orleans and spent most of his childhood and adult life in Memphis. Some of his fondest memories were working during the summers at his uncles’ farms in Arkansas where he developed a strong bond with his extended family. Bill graduated from Kingsbury High School in 1961, attended the University of Tennessee, and graduated with a degree in Accounting from Memphis State University. He also served in the Army National Guard.
Bill worked 44 years for Methodist Hospital in many different accounting and finance roles. While working at Methodist, he became active in the Raleigh Optimist Club and especially enjoyed selling Christmas trees each year with the club. He was also a long-time member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church.
Following in his parents’ footsteps, Bill grew up boating at McKellar Lake and Pickwick Lake, where he later enjoyed a family vacation home. With his close friends, he spent much of his adult life hunting and fishing in the Mid-South area. Bill always enjoyed cooking, and, after retirement, he became an avid gardener at the senior community gardens and in his son’s backyard. He often shared his abundant produce with friends and family. Having a special interest in genealogy, he often took trips to explore his Pegg and James family histories.
Bill was a dedicated family man, committed to instilling generational values and passing down life lessons to his children and grandchildren. Bill walked humbly, appreciated the simple, important things in life and was always willing to help any of his family, friends and neighbors. Known as “Granddad”, Bill cherished his precious grandchildren and his “granddog”, Poppy.
Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Judy Tate Pegg, and their children, Jennifer Pegg Whipple (Jim) and William Tate Pegg. He also leaves three adored grandchildren, Tate Elizabeth Whipple (21), Mary Ross Whipple (18), and James Cobb Whipple (14). Bill was predeceased by his brother, Fred Pegg, and his sister, Mariann Vanderford, and is survived by his sister, Pattijane Edington.
Friends and family are invited to a visitation in memory of Mr. Pegg on Wednesday evening, January 3, 2024, at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Memphis, from 5:00 until 7:00. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to their favorite charity in William Ira “Bill” Pegg, Jr.’s name.
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