Longtime Rockvale High School Principal William Eris Read passed away on a snowy Friday morning at Adams Place.

He served as principal of the Rockets for 23-years, and then was one of the first assistant principals at Riverdale High School when it opened.

His nephew, Rutherford County Commissioner Pettus Read, painted a word picture, "This morning as the news was all about the winter storm and schools all across this county closed, one who had been a long time servant of this county school system, seeing that children for many years were safely placed on buses were returned home during a snow storm as this, passed away."

Obituary from Woodfin Chapel:

William Eris Read, age 94, of Murfreesboro, TN, died Friday, January 22, 2016. Mr. Read was a native of Rockvale, TN, and was born on December 29, 1921. He was the son of the late, Thomas G. and May Powers Read. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Hollis Read; two sisters, Mary Crick and Frances Read; nephew, Tommie Read; and a niece, Delgay Read McElroy.

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Murfreesboro. Dr. Eugene Cotey, Dr. Noel Schoonmaker, and Pam Pilote will officiate. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Read is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ida Dunaway Read; nephews, Pettus Read and Ronnie Crick; a niece, Peggy Messer; along with several great nieces and nephews.

Mr. Read was a member of First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and a member of the choir and also helped with audiovisuals for the church library. He was a notable educator having served 37 years in that profession as a teacher, a coach, and a principal. He received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from MTSU.

Mr. Read began his career at Rockvale High School teaching science, history and math. He became a self-taught coach, having been pressed into the job of coaching the Rockvale Rockets with no experience, to never have a losing season. He later went on to serve as principal of the school.

He was later chosen to serve as Vice Principal of Riverdale High School where he served from 1972 until his retirement in 1985.

Mr. Read was a member of the Murfreesboro Kiwanis Club serving as president and treasurer. He was recognized by the National Kiwanis Club as an outstanding treasurer.

Mr. Read served on the Board of Zoning Appeals for many years and also helped with the local elections in his district. He took great satisfaction in his job and the many students he mentored.

Pettus Read, Ronnie Crick, Carl Buckner, Larry McElroy, John Powers, Te Read, Thomas Bruning, Howard Bruning and Bill Allen will serve as pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund in memory of Mr. Read.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Woodfin Memorial Chapel.