Herman James

Mr. William Herman James, Age 87 of Hickman,TN passed away Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at Elmcroft in Lebanon, TN.Mr. James was born October 6, 1924 in Hickman, TN the son of the late Frank Bryant James and Delia Ann Gwaltney. After graduating from Gordonsville High School, he enrolled at Tennessee Tech University. In June of 1943, he entered in the U.S. Navy. While in the Navy, he attended both the University of Louisville and Iowa State College. He served until the end of WWII, when he enrolled at Tennessee Tech University again. He graduated from there in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics and minors in both Math and Education. He married Una Lee Lawrence on February 14, 1948. His first job was with NASA at Langley Field, VA. In 1951, he came back home to be the principal at Chestnut Mound School, as well as teaching grades five through eight. The next two years found him teaching Math, Chemistry, and Physics at Watertown High School. In 1954, he came to Gordonsville High School where he taught for thirty two years in the Science Department until his retirement in 1986. In 1956, he earned his Masters in Education with a minor in Biology. He served as Principal of GHS from 1976 to 1977 and served as Guidance Counselor from 1969 to 1986. Mr. James was a member of Hickman Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife: Una Lee Lawrence James on February 28, 2003 and Special Friend: Leslie Armistead.Mr. James is survived by his Two Children: Teresa (Howard) Ballard of New Middleton, TN., and William (Vicky) James of Lebanon, TN. Three Grandchildren: Rachel (Jon) Kelley of Gordonsville, TN., Joshua (Susan) James of Arlington, VA., and Andrew James of Wasington D.C. Three Step Grandchildren: Paula Withrow, Penny Kinslow, and Pamela Sweat. Two Great Grandchildren: Kaitlin and Lucas Carter. Seven Step Great Grandchildren. Special Friend: Clarence Nixon of Hickman, TN.Funeral Services for Mr. James are scheduled to be conducted Friday, Septmeber 14, 2012 at 11AM at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes. Bro. Mark Stinnett and Mark Medley will officiate and Interment will follow in the Baird Memorial Cemetery.Visitation with the James family will be held on Wednesday from 4PM to 8PM, Thursday from 4PM to 8PM and on Friday after 9AM until service time at 11AM.The James Family request memorials be made to the GHS Science Club or the Pat Summitt Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Herman James

October 6, 1924 - September 11, 2012