William Lovelace
Age - 86
December 9, 2023
"J. William (Bill) Lovelace, adoring husband and beloved father, 86, of Memphis, Tennessee passed away at his home December 4, 2023. He was preceded in death by his father Jesse O. Lovelace, his mother Gertrude C. Lovelace and his sister Helen L. Clyburn. Although his battle with serious medical issues in recent years left his body weakened, he faced these challenges with strength, courage and hope until the end. Bill leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Bobbie P. Lovelace, daughters Leslee L. Pascal and Lisa L. Holliday (Craig), son Christopher C. Lovelace, sister-in-law Sylvia P. Cochran (Bill) six grandchildren, five great-granddaughters and a bounty of nieces and nephews. Our family is bereft at this loss as he was our rock and lifelong example for a faithful Christian life filled with laughter, generosity, kindnesses, and amazing memories built through fulfilling dreams. Bill was born on December 3,1937 to Jesse and Gertrude Lovelace in Poplar Bluff, MO. He graduated from Poplar Bluff HS in 1954 at the age of 16 and then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed in Hawaii for 2 years during active service and was honorably discharged in 1962 after an additional 2 years in the Reserves. Following his time in the Corps, Bill attended the University of Missouri and graduated in 3 years with a B. S. Degree in Accounting. While there, he was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Bill moved to Memphis in 1960 and joined Holiday Inn as their twenty-first employee. He remained with Holiday Inn for 9 years and, ultimately, became Controller. Bill often remarked that the business experience and knowledge he gained as part of this history-making company was invaluable and kickstarted a 40\u0026#43; year career in the hospitality industry. Following Holiday Inn, Bill moved his family to the West Coast to become Vice President of Finance for Shakey's Pizza. Four years later, he was brought on board with Servico, a publicly held, 5,000\u0026#43; employee company specializing in hotel acquisition and management, eventually becoming President at the age of 37. Simultaneously, Bill formed a restaurant company and developed multiple Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburger stores in Texas. After being an employee of large companies for 20 years, Bill decided to use his experience and knowledge to form his own hotel company - Dominion Hospitality Management. In 1991, after 13 years of private ownership, Dominion merged with RFS. Joined together under the flagship of RFS, the company made financial history by becoming the first Hotel Real Estate Trust to be publicly traded and listed on the New York Stock Exchange. As President of RFS, Bill was responsible for the hotel acquisition portfolio and purchased 60 properties with a net worth of over one billion dollars and a personnel base of 7,000. Bill retired from the service industry in 1998, although he continued to consult for many years. Bill was a member of Second Presbyterian Church for more than 60 years serving as Deacon and Elder. He was involved in several Christian organizations including Ministry to Men on the Board of Directors and the Ministry to Men Foundation as President. He travelled across the country giving his testimony and encouraging businessmen to allow their faith to be reflected in their daily career lives. His Bible was forever within arms-length of his desk. Although gone from us now, nothing will ever erase the impact Bill has had on our family. His devotion to his wife was unparalleled. He loved us all completely and showered us with expressions of that love through mountain climbing, sailing, fly-fishing and remarkable vacations that we relive every time we are together. We are joyful that his body is whole again and that his greatest dream of all is now fulfilled through a new life with Christ. The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, December 12 at 12:30 p. m. with a funeral service at 1:30 p. m. all in the Fireside Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bill's name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or any charity for which you feel strongly. Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119. (901) 767-89"Show more
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
