William Buckley

William Roy Billy/Bill Buckley

Nashville, TN

Buckley, William Roy "Billy/Bill" - Age 80, longtime Nashville resident and educator. Saturday, April 15, 2017 at Alive Hospice. Preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Roy Buckley, and his sisters, Marguerite Williams and Dorothy Ballard. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 44 years, Evelyn Elliott Buckley.

Bill graduated from Pearl High School in 1955. After beginning his college career at Morehouse College in Atlanta, he later transferred to Tennessee (A&I) State University, earning a B.S in Mathematics and an M.S. in Mathematics and School Administration. He began his teaching career in Christiansburg, Virginia, but later moved back to Nashville where he joined the Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) and taught mathematics at Washington Junior High, Donelson Junior High, and Whites Creek High for the next 30 years. After retiring from MNPS, he continued to teach math at St. Vincent de Paul and at Tennessee State University until 2010. Although he retired, he served as a volunteer math tutor until he succumbed to pancreatic cancer, as his love for math never subsided. 

He was a devoted member of the Schrader Lane Church of Christ for over 40 years where he served on the Building and Grounds Committee, tutored students in math, sang in the Adult Chorus, served as a co-facilitator for the Grief Support ministry, and leader of the Haynes North Zone. He also served as treasurer for the Pearl High School Heritage Classes Foundation, Inc. which awards college scholarships to deserving students in the Nashville area.

Bill is survived by his devoted wife, Reva Chatman Buckley; loving daughter, Joy B. Reed (Orefield, PA); devoted son, William (Rochelle) R. Buckley, Jr. (Loveland, OH); grandchildren, Darren Reed (Philadelphia), Taylor Buckley (Loveland, OH), Julian Reed, Gabrielle (Tyler) Mahone, Sarah Buckley (Loveland, OH), Grace Reed (Orefield, PA); in-laws, Connie Elliott, Alleane Pye, Melba McNairy, Carl (Peggy) McGill (all of Nashville), James McGill (Los Angeles); a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and dear friends.

Mr. Buckley will lie in state at the funeral home on Thursday, April 20, 2017, from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM for family visitation, with Alpha Phi Alpha Services to follow. Family visitation will resume on Friday, April 21, 2017, 12:00 noon-1:00PM with funeral services to follow at the Schrader Lane Church of Christ, 1234 Schrader Lane, Brother Robert Gardenhire, Minister. Interment, Greenwood Main Cemetery, Garden of Hope. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the David Jones Jr. Assisted Living Center, 1234 Schrader Lane, Nashville, TN 37208. LEWIS & WRIGHT FUNERAL DIRECTORS, 2500 Clarksville Hwy., Richard A.

Lewis & Michael A. Lewis, Directors: (615) 255-2371.