Funeral service for Mr. Howard William (Bill) Fennell will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home with Bro. Mike Shelby and Bro. David Rhodes officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 12:00 noon until service.

Mr. Fennell passed away on June 12, 2026, with cancer at age 91. He was born on April 2, 1935, in Memphis, Tennessee, son of the late Howard William Fennell Sr. and Louise White Fennell of Winchester, TN.

He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Lebanon, TN where he served faithfully since 2001. He always served God in the local church having been ordained a deacon at age 24 at Lamar Heights Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. He has been Treasurer, youth worker, choir member and deacon. He was a charter member of Oak Valley Baptist Church in Franklin, TN. He loved music and sang in the choir until he was no longer able. He loved all the old hymns best.

He leaves his wife Jamie of 68 years, son Bruce (Jennifer) Fennell, daughter Fara Johnson, son Mark (Christy)Fennell, four grandchildren, Dr. Ben Fennell (Naomi), Brittany Root (Phil), Turner and Harrison Fennell, eight grandchildren Tallie, Tricia and Tanner Root, Daniel, Havilah, Obi, Nehemiah, and Boaz Fennell. Several nephews and nieces and great nephews and nieces. He loved them all and was so proud of each one.

He leaves one brother, Robert D Fennell (Peggy) of Oakland, TN.

In every city he lived, and every church he attended, he leaves old friends.

He attended Memphis State College, now University of Memphis, where he played baseball. He then played semi-professional baseball for Coca Cola all Stars and finally signed with the St. Louis Cardinals but was soon released because of an injury. He was the Cardinals’ biggest fan all his life. It was Bill’s dream to play for the Cardinals but was not God’s plan.

He was a Veteran. He joined the Army in 1957 and went in as PFC because he was in ROTC. Bill did not see active combat while stationed in Ft. Sill Oklahoma where he had a secret clearance and made daily reports to the Pentagon. He served from 1957-1963, including 2 years in the Reserves.

He was married to Jamie Jones on June 6, 1958, at Lamar Heights Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. God answered his prayers for a wife who loved God and wanted to be a homemaker.

He worked as Manager of Fred’s department store and several other places before retiring.

He loved God, his Family, his Country and the St. Louis Cardinals.

LIGON & BOBO FUNERAL HOME of Lebanon (615) 444-2142 www.ligonbobo.com