William Thomas (Tommy) Coleman: 1943 – 2024
William Thomas (Tommy) Coleman, age 80 of Fairview, TN, passed away peacefully at his home July 20, 2024. Tommy was born in Palmersville, TN on August 01, 1943. He attended Dresden High School where he played basketball and baseball. After high school he moved to Nashville to begin a successful career path in retail management that led him to many places throughout TN, KY, AL, IN and OH, working for Kuhns/Big K, Walmart, Pamada, and Dollar General.
As a testament to his being a wonderful boss, many of his former employees stayed in close contact over the years, staying friends until his passing. Tommy never met a stranger and never passed up an opportunity to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, often personally buying items or giving money to people in need who shopped at his store.
During one of his moves to accept a new management position, Tommy met his wife, Joy. They had just celebrated 60 years of marriage on March 16, 2024.
Tommy loved spending time with his family, friends, and his favorite grand-dog Sophie. And there probably isn’t a Western movie that he hadn’t seen or a Western book he hadn’t read. He was an avid sports fan and loved all things sports, never missing watching UT, Vandy, or UK play baseball, basketball, or football. He was also the Braves and Dodgers biggest fan. Having a competitive side, over the years he played on many softball teams and coached countless little league and girls’ softball teams. He belonged to and loved to play in many online sports leagues with his team, Hardball Heaven. During the last few years, Tommy also enjoyed therapeutic horseback riding on his favorite horse Tessie, at Colby’s Army. He also volunteered and helped with special events there and was awarded many honors.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Garland Coleman, daughter Kim Coleman Light and son-in law Robert, son William Christopher (Kit) Coleman, grandson Alan Scott Coleman and wife Dorie, and sisters, Janice Stigall, Brenda Berry, and Rosemary Taylor, as well as all his nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Carsley and Clarise Coleman, son Thomas Scott Coleman and granddaughter Sarah Elizabeth Coleman.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 17th from 12 noon until 3:00 pm with a short service held at 1:00 pm at the McWherter Civic Center/Dresden Senior Citizens Community Room, 589 Evergreen St., Dresden, TN 38225.
Burial will be later this Fall in Nancy, KY, where he will be laid to rest next to his son Scott and granddaughter Sarah. A Celebration of Life will be held before burial for his Kentucky friends to attend.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to Tommy’s favorite charities. St. Jude Children’s Hospital (stjude.org/donate) or Colby’s Army (colbysarmy.org).
