Obituary of William Thomas Effler, Sr.

Lt. Colonel William Thomas Effler, Sr. (Ret.), age 85, passed away on October 26, 2017. He passed peacefully at home of natural causes.

A memorial service will be held at Murfreesboro Funeral Home on Saturday, October 28th, with visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and funeral service will follow immediately thereafter. Burial will be in Maryville, Tennessee at Grandview Cemetery at 1:00 pm EST on Sunday, October 29, 2017.

He was preceded in death by his wife of forty-five years, Joanne Elliott Effler and a daughter-in-law, Renee Effler. He is survived by his four sons; Tom, Jr. (Mary), Doug (Mona), David, and Steve (Dana), as well as grandchildren; Doug, Mary Anne, Bethany, Kiefer, Gunter, Rob, and Nick Thomas.

He had the best caregivers that anyone could hope for, Kelly, Theresa, Inga and Maggie. These wonderful ladies loved him and made his final years very comfortable. The family has felt very blessed to have them with him over these past few years.

Colonel Effler was a distinguished twenty-one year veteran of the U.S. Army and served with distinction in Korea and Vietnam, earning the rank of Lt. Colonel. He also worked for the Pentagon. His favorite pastime was following his beloved Tennessee Volunteers in Football, and in years past he was a gardener, golfer, skeet shooter and watcher of all things sports. He loved spending time with his dogs and was a deacon with Murfreesboro’s Third Baptist Church.

A True gentleman, he set an example for others by his hard work, patriotism, love of animals, and love for God and country.