WILLIAM LAVERN AUSTIN, SR. entered into eternal rest, peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Friday, March 11, 2022 at the age of 76. He was born on January 19, 1946, the son of the late Wesley Austin, Sr. and Lula Bob Gay Austin. Two brothers, Wesley Austin, Jr. and Henry Austin, and two sisters, Mary Lou Austin Bolden and Betty Louise Austin Adams preceded him in death. William was a life long resident of Dalton, GA. before moving to Louisville Kentucky, only two months ago, in January of this year, to be with his younger brother, Larry Austin. William was a 1964 graduate of Emery Street High School, where he was an outstanding basketball player and captain of the basketball team. William served his country in the United States Army as a paratrooper with the 101st, and 82nd Airborne Divisions. He served as a combat soldier in Viet Nam and received an Honorable Discharge. William was employed by the E&B Carpet Mill and Shaw Industries for 45 years.

William leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife of more than five decades, Shirley Simpson Austin of Dalton, Georgia; and his children, Eric Curtis, ("Dee") of Calhoun, GA, Mary Kendra Austin Carter (Mario), William Lavern Austin, Jr. (Carol) of Dalton; grandchildren, Myles Austin Curtis of Calhoun, and Desmond Austin Brito of Dalton; brothers, James Howard Austin, Sr. of Atlanta, Georgia, Larry Austin (Jacqueline) of Louisville, Kentucky; special devoted nephew, Gary Austin of Louisville, Kentucky; aunt, Lucille Gay of Atlanta, GA; sister-in-law, Mary Ruth Austin of Dalton; several other loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other relatives, and friends.

A Celebration Of Life will be held at 1:00 P. M. on the 19th , March 2022, at the Mountain Ridge Baptist Church, 1401 Martin L. King, Jr. Blvd., Dalton, GA. with Dr. Jerry D. Jones as Eulogist. The family will receive friends during the visitation on Friday, March 18, 2022 from 6:00 P. M. - 7:30 P. M. at the Willis Funeral Home. Interment in Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404. Arrangements entrusted to G. C. Williams Funeral Home, Louisville, KY, Rogers Awkard and Lyons Funeral Home, Louisville, KY, and Willis Funeral Home, Inc., Dalton, Georgia.