William Bookout

William M. "Bill" Bookout passed away Monday, Oct. 28, 2013, in a local hospital after a brief illness.Bill was born in Chattanooga, Jan. 5, 1926 to Mae L. Austin Bookout and Geroge Frank Bookout, and was their only child.Bill married his best friends sister, Jacqueline Lomenick June 8, 1948. They lived primarily in the East Ridge community, where he was a long time member of Jones Memorial United Methodist Church and a member of the Fellowship Class. Bill was active in Scouting, and served as Scoutmaster of Troop 74. His efforts were instrumental in all of his sons achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.Bill served as purchasing agent and traffic manager at Standard-Coosa-Thatcher Co. for nearly 20 years before he and Jackie became owner-operators of the Korner Market. Bill served as chairman of the board of directors of Dixie Savings Stores Inc., for several years. He also piloted airplanes as a young man.He spent his early childhood in the East Lake community before graduating from Chattanooga Central High in 1944, and eventually, the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1949. Bill was an accomplished musician, and played the baritone most of his life. He first studied music at East Lake Junior High, where he was selected to be in the All City Band. During bus rides to rehearsals for this band he met trombonist Stanley Lomenick, his lifelong friend and future brother-in-law. He was the captain of the band at Central 1943-1944, and was captain of the University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland Band in 1944, and 1947-1949. His studies at UT were interrupted by World War II, which caused him to be drafted into the U.S. Army. During basic training at Camp Shelby, Miss., he was able to sufficiently impress the leader of the 336th Army Band to get transferred out of the infantry, and spent the remainder of his army career in the 336th Band, based in Augusta, Ga. He turned down offers to become a professional musician in order to return to his studies at UT after the war. Upon returning to Chattanooga, he joined bands comprised initially of his former Central classmates, including the Scenic City Band, the American Legion post 95 Band, and the Senior Neighbors Band, amongst others. He was a member of the local musicians union.Bill is survived by Jackie, his wife of 65 years; his three sons, Dr. J. Michael (Barbara) Bookout, of Kingsport, Tenn., Dr. Mark W. (Panx) Bookout, of Chattanooga, and Dr. Joel F. (JoAnne) Bookout, of Chattanooga; and granddaughters, Megan Bergmann, Ashley Bookout, Jessica Bookout and Erin Bookout.Visitation will be at Chattanooga Funeral Home, East from 4 to 7 p.m. today, Oct. 30, 2013.Services will be held at Chattanooga Funeral Home East at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, followed by interment at Lomenick Cemetery in East Ridge.As the family mourns the passing of our beloved patriarch, we would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Parkridge East Hospital for their many kindnesses, compassion, and the care they rendered in Bills final hours.Memorial donations may be made to Jones Memorial United Methodist Church.Please share your condolences at www.chattanoogaeastchapel.com.Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, & Florist, 404 S. Moore Road.