Willie Lawrence Slack, 91, went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, January 4, 2025.  He was better known as "Bud" to his family and friends and lovingly called "Poppa" by his grandsons, Cameron Slack and Jonathan Slack.

He graduated from Birchwood High School when it still had grades 1-12.  He was a Korean War veteran of the United States Army, having served almost 3 years before the war ended.  Bud was a talented teacher of ballroom dancing.  He started out at Fred Astaire, then opened a studio in Ohio, then later in Red Bank before freelancing until the year before his death.  One of his students was 102 years old!  He loved teaching so much, but his Parkinson's disease put an abrupt end to it.

Bud was employed as an Ironworker in Ohio before later going to CBI Services for 20 years until his retirement.  He was also a talented artist and would paint many paintings quickly, in one and a half hours, then others would give him a painting block and it would take him a week.  He sold many paintings, but gave away just as many.  His Parkinson's put an end to that as well.

Bud was a bowler, then later on in life started golfing, until he couldn't do it anymore.  He was a faithful member of the Choo Choo Shag Club, Masonic Lodge #114 and was a past president of the Eagles Club #945.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Ray Slack and Minnie Lois Harden; daughters, Cheryl Slack and Beverly Mulholland; little sister, Linda; brother, Bobby Ray, and grandbabies, Tyler Dill, Coty Dill and Ashley Dill.

Bud is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Judy "Dee" Diane Slack; daughters, Melanie Lambert, Melissa Slack and Susan Haggard; sisters, Pat Stokes, Darlene Cofer, Shirley Thomas and Laverne Vaughn; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Turner Funeral Home.  A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 12 p.m. with Pastor Glenn Gattenby officiating.

Bud will be laid to rest in Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors.

Pallbearers will be Jonathan Slack, Cameron Slack, Joey Cross, Ricky Cross, Brad Lambert and Gordon Lawrence.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Bud's church's building fund:  Oak Grove Church of God, in care of Dee Slack, 11208 Dolly Pond Rd, Birchwood, TN 37308 or give to Pastor Gattenby.

Please share your memories and express condolences to the family on their guestbook.