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William Roberts Selden
Dec 25, 2012
Dec. 25, 2012
William Roberts Selden, 91, passed away peacefully at Athens Morning Pointe Assisted Living on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012.
Born in Belzoni, Miss., in 1921, he lived in Athens his entire life and in the same home built by his family in 1911. He was preceded in death by his parents, Winston Adams and Willie Helen Roberts Selden. He was an active member of Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, since 1937, where he was a longtime member of the church choir as well as Chairman of the Administrative Board.
Mr. Selden will be remembered as a true Bon Vivant in the community; he loved life and people and gave his all to both with an indelible spirit. He enjoyed history, travel and time with friends; his favorite hobby was genealogy, which brought him much joy as well as bringing family members together. He helped to form both the McMinn County Historical Society and Archives, in 1959, and later, the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, having served as an officer and board member of both organizations. He was a member of and served on the Board of the East Tennessee Historical Society in Knoxville. He was past Treasurer of the Society of the Lees of Virginia, and a member of the First Families of Virginia. Other memberships include the Huguenot Society, Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, the Order of the Crown of Charlemagne, and Descendants of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Having been active in many facets of the community, Mr. Selden served as president or chairman for several organizations including the Athens Kiwanis Club, Jaycees and the Athens Chamber of Commerce. He was a graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College, co-founded by his great-grandfather, and the University of Tennessee, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.
Mr. Selden was employed by Mayfield\'s Dairy for 43 years where he served as Corporate Treasurer. His combat service in World War II led him to the Battle of the Bulge, where he was awarded the Bronze Star.
He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth S. Taylor and her husband, James Archibald, of Spartanburg, S.C.; his niece, Susan Taylor Murray and husband, Thomas, of North, Va.; his nephew, Dr. William Stokes Taylor and his wife, Mary Jo, of Wellington, New Zealand; two great-nephews, Dr. William Selden Taylor and Joseph Rosser Taylor, both of New Zealand; and one great-niece, Carmen Oller Taylor, of New Zealand.
The family thanks the numerous friends and health care workers that cared for him over the past year as his health declined.
Services will be conducted at Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, 600 West Madison Ave., Athens, Tennessee 37371, on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Dennie Humphreys officiating, with a reception immediately following. The cremains will be interred in the Selden-Roberts Plot in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Athens.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to E.G. Fisher Public Library, 1289 Ingleside Ave., Athens, TN 37303; McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, 552 Madison Ave., Athens, TN 37303; or Tennessee Wesleyan College, 204 College St., Athens, TN 37303.
If you are unable to attend this service, sign the guest register at www.jerrysmithfuneralhome.com
Smith Funeral & Cremation Services of Athens is serving the family of William Roberts Selden.
