Obituary of William Cranwell Deakins

William (Bill) Cranwell Deakins, age 75, of Pikeville, TN died Monday, January 21, 2008 in a local hospital. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Church of Christ. Mr. Deakins was a native of Pikeville, where he retired from the Bledsoe County School System after serving as both teacher and coach. Mr. Deakins was very active in the community and the City and County Governments. He served as City Council Member, Bledsoe County Commissioner, Judge Protem, and Bledsoe County Executive. He was also an active member of the Bledsoe County Jaycees, Lions Club Quarterback Club, the Bledsoe County Senior Citizens Center, the American Legion and VFW. He was preceded in death by his father, E. King Deakins; mother, Janice C. Deakins, and one brother, James Deakins. He is survived by his wife Priscilla M. Deakins, of Pikeville; one daughter, Becky D. (Gregg) Ridley, of Pikeville; two sons, William M. (Sherri) Deakins, and Thomas A. (Kimberly) Deakins, of Farragut, TN; one sister, Dorothy Deakins Ball, of Pikeville; and nine grandchildren, Meghan Elizabeth Deakins, William Talley Ridley, John Michael Deakins, Greggory Matthew Ridley, William Ryan Deakins, Kaci Marie Deakins, Molly Elizabeth Deakins, Lainey McCullough Deakins, and Conner Thomas Deakins. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 1:00 p.m. CDT in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Pikeville Cemetery. The family is being served by Putnam-Reed Funeral Home of Pikeville, TN, where they will receive friends Wednesday from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Online condolences can be made at www.reedfamilyfh.com. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or the Bledsoe County ministerial Association.