William Edward Fain was born on June 18, 1936, in Chattanooga TN. He passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on December 10, 2022.
“Ed” as he was called by his friends, was a graduate of Howard High School, class of 1954. While there he played football and basketball. Upon graduation he joined the United States Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged in June 1962. After proudly serving his country, he pursued higher education at Tennessee State University where he received his bachelor's degree. Post-graduation, he became an administrator, teacher, and coach in the Hamilton County school system. Ed served as the Industrial Arts teacher at Orchard Knob Junior High School. He was also the Assistant Principal at Hardy Junior High and the beloved Principal at Howard High school where he was known to not hesitate to swing a paddle. He later received his master’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Ed went on to become a Principal in Harrison TN until he retired from the school system. Ed was a distinguished well-known member of the community. He was an active member of Cleage's Chapel AME Zion Church. He was also very active in numerous organizations in the city. Ed was a member of the Chattanooga chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity where he served as Polemarch from 1992 until 1994 and he was a member of the Phoenix 6 Lodge where he was a senior warden. He was Past Commander-in-Chief of the Alfrada Consistory #65, Past Potentate of Hyksos Temple #123, and also a 33rd degree Mason. Ed loved golf; he was a member of the 19th Hole Golf Association and many other groups in the community.
Ed’s parents, John Fain and Dollie Bernice Strickland Fain preceded him in death, as well as his grandmother, Dollie Mitchell Strickland; his grandfather, Darwin Strickland; a cousin, Frank Newson, and beloved friend, Maggie Scott Fain.
He leaves behind loving companion and caregiver, Michelle Starling; beloved cousin, Dollie Rozier of Atlanta; caregiver, Dorothy Burgess; a host of other relatives and close friends.
Public viewing will be held from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM, Wednesday December 21, 2022. A funeral service will be held at 12 noon, Thursday, December 22, 2022, in the Chapel of John P Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.
The service will be broadcast live on John P. Franklin Funeral Home's Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/jpfchattanooga
Interment: Chattanooga National Cemetery. Gate time 2:00 PM.