Mr. William Robert Ingram

Bill Ingram died Monday, March 31, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his family. He had been under hospice care with congestive heart failure. He was 83. Bill was born July 13, 1941, in Lineville, AL. He attended Lineville High School where he was the captain of the football team and played on the state all-star basketball team. He was offered a scholarship to the University of Georgia, and Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant tried to recruit him to Alabama, but Bill needed a little work on his academics, so he went to Snead Junior College where he played basketball for the Parsons and became quite successful. Bill was named MVP in 1960, All-Region 7 in 1961, All-Small College in 1961, All-Dixie Conference in 1960 and '61, and All-American in 1961. He attended Auburn University, played basketball, and attended last year's Auburn Letterman Weekend. After Auburn, he was a coach and teacher at Atmore High School where he took the team to the state tournament the first year. Principal Banny Newman recruited Bill to Guntersville to coach football and basketball for the 1964-65 year. Larger than life, the 6'8" Ingram loved people and was known as a great host. After his coaching career, Bill began his restaurant business when he moved to Atlanta to work with the expansion of Waffle House in its early years before founding the Omelet Shoppe. He then helped establish Billy Bob's Downhome Eats and later started Chopstix Express where he brought in chefs from Taiwan to train the staff. From the restaurant business Bill moved into sales. He worked with engineers at Auburn University to create the Versa Bath Seat, an FDA approved shower seat for the elderly and disabled. Hotels all over the nation bought the device. He and his wife Nancy started their own business, E-Swallow, a training program for people needing to learn to swallow again. Speech pathologists used this program. Bill served a term on the Marshall County School Board and ran for the Alabama State Senate. Bill loved big boats and was a member of the Lake Guntersville Yacht Club for many years. He loved to travel. He was a devout Christian. He and Nancy had been married 25 years. The funeral service was at Guntersville First Methodist on Friday, April 4. Survivors include his wife, Nancy Ingram; children: Billy, Melanie I. Kirklin (Chad), Amy Ingram, Amber Ingram, and stepson Jim Beard (Brandi). He was uncle to Suzanne Morris (Glenn) and Joel Poole (Amy); a grandfather to Nicholas (Charity), Chad, Kyle, Taylore (DeShawn), Reighan (Braxton), Jayleen, Landen, Wyatt, Jake, Katie, and Abigail Beard; and a great-grandfather to Avion, Amari, Jayden, Noah, and Heaven. He was preceded in death by his parents Chester and Louis Ingram; sisters and their husbands Sue Walker (Clyde) and Anne Poole (Charles); and stepson Seth Beard. The family would like to thank Home Help, Shepherd's Cove Hospice, and Dr. John Boggess.

Mr. William Robert Ingram

July 13, 1941 - March 31, 2025