Prominent Attorney, Senator Bill Ortwein Dies At 78

  • Monday, January 28, 2019
Bill Ortwein
Bill Ortwein

Longtime prominent Chattanooga attorney Bill Ortwein died Saturday at the age of 78.

He also served two terms in the state Senate.

Born on July 21, 1940, in Chattanooga, he was the son of Freda Tucker Ortwein and Malvin Hubert Ortwein.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Myers Ortwein; two children, William Scott (Melinda) Ortwein, of Atlanta and Frederick Lee (Rachel) Ortwein, of Chattanooga; six grandchildren: Mary Alexander, Clara Parker, Olivia Ray, William Ortwein, Riley Beavers and Aidan Beavers, who affectionately called him “Hub”; aunt, Alice Marie (Gilbert) Ortwein Billingsley; uncle, James (Aline) Ortwein; and several cousins.

He attended Chattanooga public schools, graduating from Central High School in 1958 where he was a major in the ROTC and an officer in the Key Club.  After graduation, he joined the Marine Corps as a PFCI and remained in the Marine Corps Reserves as a corporal.

He attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity where he served on the board of the Fraternity Council. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee Law School, Knoxville and was a member of Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity. He received a Ford Foundation Grant to do research in the field of criminal law.

He was employed by Noone, Moseley and Bell and, in 1966, he joined the District Attorney’s office. In 1969, he left to enter private practice as criminal defense. He was a member of the Chattanooga Bar Association, the Chattanooga Trial Lawyers Association and the Tennessee Bar Association.

In 1976, he was elected to the Tennessee State Senate for the 10th District, where he served as the chairman of the Judicial Committee. He served two terms in the Senate.

He was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 848 Ashland Terrace.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga or St. Jude’s Hospital.

Visitation is 5-8 p.m. on Friday at Lane Funeral Home ~ Ashland Terrace.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church with Father Stephen Eichler officiating.

Breaking News
New Hope Fire Department Disputes TWRA Report On Kayaker Rescues
  • 3/28/2024

New Hope Fire Department Corey Comstock disputed a report by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency about the rescue of 33 kayakers from extremely high winds near Nickajack Cave on Monday. ... more

Woman Dies After Being Seriously Injured In House Fire Thursday Afternoon
Woman Dies After Being Seriously Injured In House Fire Thursday Afternoon
  • 3/28/2024

A woman died after sustaining life-threatening injuries in a house fire on North Moore Road Thursday afternoon and was rescued by Chattanooga firefighters. Hamilton County 911 received a call ... more

Motorcyclist Hit Speeds Of 170 MPH; Posted Video Of Outrunning Police
Motorcyclist Hit Speeds Of 170 MPH; Posted Video Of Outrunning Police
  • 3/28/2024

A motorcyclist fled on Sunday, from a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempting to make a lawful stop on Highway 27. Since that time, the deputy has been working leads to identify the ... more