Lipscomb mourns the loss of long-time supporter and friend Bill Ezell
Kim Chaudoin |
| Ezell brothers, left to right, Bill, Roy and Miles Jr. |
Lipscomb University lost a long-time supporter and friend with the death of former Purity Dairies executive Bill Ezell on Monday, Sept. 20.
A member of the Lipscomb University board of trustees from 1999-2003, Mr. Ezell attended Lipscomb University in 1949 and 1950, during which time he was a member of the Bison baseball team.
For much of his life, Mr. Ezell was an avid supporter of Lipscomb University. In 2006, construction was completed on the $11.3 million Ezell Center, named in honor of the Ezell family’s support of Lipscomb through the years. He also shared his love of photography with the Lipscomb community.
“The Lipscomb University community mourns the loss of our friend Bill Ezell. Bill was an encourager and a generous supporter of Christian education,” said Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry. “Through his photographic lens he took us around the world to celebrate God’s creations. We were richly blessed by his life and his spirit.”
Born on June 18, 1929, Mr. Ezell was the son of a dairy farmer and grew up milking cows and delivering milk. Through his humble beginnings, he learned the value of honesty and hard work. In 1950 he began his career in the family business, Purity Dairies, where he continued to work until his death.
Mr. Ezell was named one of Lipscomb University's Christian Business Leaders, and he served on numerous boards including Adventure Science Center, Goodpasture Christian School, Lakeshore Estates, African Christian Schools, Boy Scouts of America, Tennessee Dairy Products Association, Master Dairies and American Cultured Dairy Products Association. He was a member of Richland Country Club.
Mr. Ezell was an avid outdoorsman who loved golf, snow skiing and cycling. His true passion was photography, which he shared with his brother, Miles. He took numerous trips all over the world riding his bicycle and taking photographs. In January 2008, the Ezell brothers’ photos were on public display for the first time in a special exhibit at Lipscomb University. Many of his photos captured the sites on his travels around the world to locations such as India, Vietnam, Africa, Nova Scotia and Italy. He enjoyed photographing the architecture, landscapes, animals and people of the nations around the world.
Visitation with the family is Thursday, Sept. 23, from 4-8 p.m. at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ in Nashville. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 24, at Brentwood Hills with visitation one hour prior to service.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marilyn Eakes Ezell; daughters, Terrie (John) Robinson and Kim Owens; and son, John W. (Janene) Ezell Jr.; grandchildren, Beth (Ben) Miller, Clay (Leslie) Robinson, Kyle Robinson, Paige (David) Patton, Ashley Owens, Alex Ezell, Will Ezell, Eric Ezell and Abby Ezell; great-grandchildren, Elliotte Miller and Leah Robinson; brothers, Miles (Linda) Ezell, Jr., Roy (Marian) Ezell; sister, Bettye Thomas; and aunt, Sara Young.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lipscomb University, Lakeshore Estates or AGAPE. Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.