Willie Thomas (Tony) Ballanger, aka Bear, was born in Walker County Georgia June 28, 1940 to Willie (Bill) Ballanger and Betty Mae Suttles Ballanger. He attended and graduated from Hill High School in Lafayette, Georgia. He was employed and retired from Mueller Company. He was also a musician and taught several young men to play guitar. He was a member of Chandler Chapel Baptist Church in Flintstone, Georgia and was one of their past musicians. He organized and played for the Gospel Sensation and The Gospel Messengers. He was an avid checker player and loved playing cards.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Betty Mae Ballanger; three brothers, Robert, Jerry and Enoch Ballanger; grandmothers, Lillie Ballanger and Audie Bell Freeman and one great granddaughter, ChristiAnna Upshaw.
He leaves to cherish his memories a devoted wife of 61 years, Brenda Ballanger; 5 daughters, Vanessa (Glen) Martin, Jeanetta Ballanger, Dorothea Woods, Kim (Mark) Tony, Sabrina Ballanger, all of Chattanooga; 15 grandchildren, Chevy Burse, Glen Martin, Jr., Crystal Dunson, Damien Vinson, Chris Upshaw, Jeaneal Woodly, Quincy, Montell, and Marlin Jones, Ishia Alexander, Daphanie Reese, Tony Reese, Will Reese, Charles Forte’, Markeion Jones; 39 great grandchildren; sister, Mae Bell (Reginald) Cousin; brother, Larry (Norma) Ballanger; sisters-in-law, Christine Silmon and Mary Ballanger; brothers-in-law, Robert, John, and Richard Lewis; aunts, Thelma Ballanger and Alberta Ballanger; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; a dear friend, George O’Hara.

Public viewing will be held 9:00 am – 2:00 pm Saturday, September 24, 2022, followed by a 2:00 pm chapel service.

Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.