Bill Hodges was a lifelong resident of the Chattanooga area.

As a young boy, he was an altar boy at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Later in life, he was a vestry member and Sunday School teacher at St. Peter's Episcopal Church and a faithful member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

After graduating from Notre Dame High School, he went on to The University Of Chattanooga where he received his bachelor's degree in physical education and his master's degree in education administration.

During his career, he taught and coached at Avondale Elementary, North Chattanooga Junior High School and Elbert Long Junior High School. He also served as the principal of Pineville, Mountain Creek and Rivermont Elementary Schools before retiring from the Chattanooga Public School System in 1993, with 40 years of service.

At Notre Dame High School, Bill was city prep wrestling champion and went on to serve as wrestling team captain at the University Of Chattanooga. During his senior year, he was the only Moc to claim a win in the dual meet with the SEC powerhouse Auburn.

As a Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association official, he worked 44 years as a football referee and 46 years as a wrestling official. He officiated at the region and state levels in both wrestling and football and for many years, served as the assigning officer for the Chattanooga region.

He was recognized as an expert on rules (he practiced rules and calls with his daughter at the beginning of each season) and frequently mentored new referees.

In 1995, Bill was inducted into the Chattanooga Old Timers Hall Of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the sport of amateur wrestling.

Bill passed away on August 6, 1998, after a yearlong battle with cancer.

The very next year, the William H. Hodges, Jr. Memorial Scholarship was introduced to benefit a deserving high school wrestler in the Chattanooga area. The scholarship is funded by an annual golf tournament. Bill was known for his expertise, fairness, gentleness and integrity in the classroom, on the mat and in his everyday life.

At the time of his death, many of his former students complimented him by saying, "he taught me how to be a gentleman."

He was a hero to thousands of students, a mentor to hundreds of athletes and a devoted family man.