William Hudson

Born in Nashville, Tennessee on August 1, 1929

Departed on January 8, 2017 and resided in Tullahoma, Tennessee

William "Bill" Franklin Hudson, age 87, of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away Sunday morning, January 8, 2017, in Tullahoma, Tennessee.

Bill and his twin brother, Allen, were born in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 1, 1929 to Oscar and Carrie Hudson. Bill joined the United States Navy in 1946 and served almost five years on active duty where he was an administrative specialist on the USS Rehoboth (cruising in the Atlantic to Norway, Germany and the Canary Islands), as well as assignments in Philadelphia, PA, and in Brooklyn, NY. He also served four years on active duty in the United States Coast Guard as an electronics technician in Puerto Rico and Florida servicing LORAN navigation equipment.

Missing the love of his life in Nashville, Virginia "Gennie" Williams, he wrote a letter from Puerto Rico asking for her hand in marriage, and she promptly sent a return letter stating, "Yes, Yes, Yes"! They were married March 10, 1959 in the Davidson County Courthouse in Nashville, Tennessee.

After working for the National Linen Service and Union Carbide, in 1961 Bill was hired by the United States Post Office in Nashville. He loved his job as a postman and faithfully served the residents of the Belle Meade Station for 31 years. Bill Hudson has been a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers for 56 years and cherished every friendship he ever made at work and while living in Bellevue.

Dancing was Bill and Gennie's passion, particularly square dancing and round dancing. They founded the round dance club called the "Merry-Go-Rounds," teaching hundreds of couples the joy and fun of dancing. Whether traveling across the country for dancing conferences, conventions or instructing others, Bill was also a square dance caller and an avid round dancer (a form of ballroom dancing) for more than 30 years. He promoted the hobby of square and round dancing throughout his life. For many years, he and Gennie were active members of the West End Methodist Church in Nashville. Bill's many other interests included photography; he was an award-winning photographer in numerous regional newspaper and magazine contests. Bill maintained an attitude of gratitude until the end, for his caregivers at Brookdale Assisted Living and loving family, saying he had been very fortunate to have lived a wonderful life.

Preceding him in death was his wife of forty years, Virginia "Gennie" Hudson; father, William Oscar Hudson; mother, Carrie Lou Hudson; and twin brother, Irvin Allen Hudson. He is survived by his sister, Peggy Boyles of Tullahoma, Tennessee, and numerous loving nieces and nephews in Springfield and Tullahoma, Tennessee. A celebration of Bill's life and visitation was held Tuesday afternoon, January 10th at the Harpeth Hills Memorial Gardens and Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be sent to Tullahoma Senior Citizens Center - Meals on Wheels.