James William (J.W.) Tinkle - Spry Funeral Home

James  William (J.W.) Tinkle was born February 10, 1933 in Trenton, Tennessee.  He was the youngest of 5 children of Hubert Hardy Tinkle and Bertha  Bowen Tinkle. At the age of 91, J.W. passed away peacefully surrounded  by family on Wednesday, May 22nd in Athens, AL.

After  leaving high school, he joined the United States Navy and served during  the Korean War as a Seaman aboard the USS Higbee. When J.W. returned  from the war, he worked with the railroad as a Switchman before starting  his career with the United States Postal Service (USPS).

After his career with the USPS, he retired at the age of 55 and moved to his 'mountain' in Rogersville, AL.

During  his retirement years, he traveled extensively with his longtime  companion of 30 years, Lilly Glover, of Germantown, TN. He also worked  at Joe Wheeler Golf Course in Rogersville as a starter, a perfect part-  time position since he was an avid golfer and was able to spend time  with his son, James Tinkle, who was a superintendent at the same course.  

J.W. is preceded in death by his parents, his  sisters, Mary 'Tootsie' Chilcutt and Sue Hopkins and his brothers,  Elmer and Kelmer Tinkle; and his son, James Robert Tinkle.

He  is survived by his daughters, Pam Hertenstein (Kris), Pat Grubbs, Kelly  Berry (Rick), and his son, Lee Tinkle (Liz) and daughter-in-law,  Elizabeth Tinkle. Known as Papa Jim, he is also survived by his  grandchildren Brittany and Cody Tinkle, Taylor and Ryleigh Berry, and  Steven Tinkle; great grandchildren, Bradley James and Jayden Tinkle, as  well as numerous nieces and nephews, and his dear friend and caregiver,  Karen Saunders.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held in Memphis, Tennessee at a later date.