William Duel Godwin was born on March 17, 1918, in Hardin County, the son of the late William Alpine and Tennie Eliza Jerrolds Godwin. On November 27, 1939, he was united in marriage to Ruby Belle Wilson, who preceded him in death on March 22, 1980. On December 20, 1980, he was united in marriage to Thelma Copeland, who preceded him in death on December 2, 2009.
Mr. Godwin served his country honorably during WWII in the United States Army. He was a carpenter and retired after working thirty-plus years with Godwin & Kennedy Construction Company. He also worked for five years at Century Link in Adamsville. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Adamsville, Tennessee, a member of the Modern Woodmen Fraternity, and at one time, served on the Hardin County School Board. He enjoyed living in the Morris Chapel area and loved farming and gardening.
Mr. Godwin departed this life on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the age of 95 years, 5 months and 18 days at McNairy Regional Hospital in Selmer, Tenn.
He is survived by a special daughter-in-law, Georgia Godwin of Morris Chapel, Tenn.; three grandchildren, Sheila Wrzesniewski, Annette Meeks, and Jeanette Plunk; three step-grandchildren, Jason Jerrolds, Mike Jerrolds and John Jerrolds; 5 great-grandchildren, Whitney Wrzesniewski, Trae Wrzesniewski, Annie Meeks, Cody Meeks and Dalton Plunk.
In addition to his parents and wives, he was preceded in death by one child, Billy Wayne Godwin; four brothers, Grady Godwin, Bill Godwin, Hershel Godwin and Curtis Godwin, two sisters, Fleecie Hulen and Villar Rhodes.
Services were held on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 1 p.m at Shackelford Chapel in Savannah with Phil Mitchell and Mike Moore officiating. Burial followed in the Morris Chapel Cemetery at Morris Chapel, Tenn.