Bill Haithcoat
William Price “Bill” Haithcoat died on Oct. 23, 2017. He was born on Sept. 21, 1944, in Chattanooga, Tenn., to William E. and Juanita S. Haithcoat.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his sister, Peggy Haithcoat Chase, of Round Rock, Texas; several cousins and friends. First responder was Frank Janke and second responder was Alana Berlin. Bill was also survived by his lifelong friend, Harriett Cotter.
Bill went to school in Chattanooga beginning at White Oak Elementary School, followed by Northside Junior High, and graduating from Chattanooga City High with the class of 1962. Bill attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville for a year and a half before moving on to McKenzie Business College in Chattanooga, which he attended for two years. Bill worked at The Chattanooga Times, from 1965-1977, as a secretary to Mr. John N. Popham, Managing Editor and Mr. Raymond Howe, Assistant Managing Editor. He also typed obituaries, which he took over the phone prior to computers being widely used. Bill moved to Atlanta in 1977, where he began working at The Atlanta Journal Constitution as an Ad Sales Assistant in the National Department. Bill retired from the AJC after 31 years of service.
Bill had been a member of Red Bank Baptist Church, White Oak Baptist Church, and later Christ Church, Episcopal, over his many years in Chattanooga. Shortly after arriving in Atlanta, Mr. Haithcoat was confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church at Christ the King Cathedral in Buckhead.
Bill was an avid lover of passenger trains. He rode over 200,000 miles (Amtrak and pre-Amtrak) in the U.S. and Canada, seeing 48 states, nearly all by train. His favorite trains were the “Georgian” and the “Dixie Flagler”. The train he rode the most was “The Crescent”. A few of the better-known trains that Bill rode on were the “Broadway Limited”, “Super Chief”, “California Zephyr”, “Acela”, “Panama Limited”, “Empire Builder” and the “Georgia Railroad” mixed train. Until his illness, he participated in several internet rail travel groups. Bill also enjoyed other forms of transportation including bus, ship and plane travel. He even loved hotels. Bill took many exciting trips including taking a cruise to the Bahamas and a delightful trip to Europe.
Mr. Haithcoat was fond of musical theater, attending dozens of productions. He saw his favorites, “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Les Misérables” fifteen or so times each.
Bill was fond of many unique animals. His favorites were pythons, anacondas, komodo dragons, condors, etc.
A funeral service will be held to honor Bill on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m., at the Cathedral of Christ the King, 2699 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta GA 30305.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The National Parkinson Foundation. Please send cards and Mass cards to Bill’s sister, Peggy Chase, at 16906 Tomcat Drive Round Rock, TX 78681.