William Jefferson Logan, age 85, also known as “W.J.” to his childhood friends and “Bill” to his more recent acquaintances, passed from this life Monday, July 14, 2014 at the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro. Born December 19, 1928 in Opelika, Alabama, he was the son of the late Carter Berry Logan and Nell Waldrup Logan (Hickerson). W.J. spent most of his childhood in Nashville and Hohenwald. He joined the Army in 1951 and served in the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, he attended Art College in Detroit, Michigan.

Artist Bill Logan with one of his award winning paintings. Contributed photo

Following graduation, he traveled extensively across the United States, Canada and Mexico doing portraits at Art Shows to enhance his abilities as an artist. After years of drawing, he began developing his own style, which evolved from working from life to capture the gesture and working from daylight to capture the color. Later, his drawings began to show the spirit and personality of the subject. By the age of 65, he had painted sports figures, celebrities, and dignitaries from around the world. His motto was “The best art is one that  has the essence of the subject matter, with the least presence of detail.” He inspired countless numbers of people throughout his lengthy art career and will be greatly missed by all who had an opportunity to know him. His artwork that he poured his heart and soul into, to pull things out of others and share it with the world is a legacy that will artistically resound for many, many years to come. He returned to Hohenwald as a permanent resident in 1984. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Mary Ann Logan; two sons, Carter David Logan of Ontario, Canada and William Jefferson Logan, Jr. of Hohenwald; two nieces, Vicki Logan Brown and Wanda Kay Logan Lawson; three grandchildren, Jade, Ryan, and Shelby Logan; and two great grandchildren, Jacob and Nicole. Other relatives include Joyce Hickerson Essary, Jess Oliver Mulkey, and Celeste Blocker. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Sgt. Carter Berry Logan, Jr., KIA. No funeral service has been scheduled at this time. The family requests you to personally reflect on your relationship with him. A memorial service may be held at a later date. Williams Funeral Home and Crematory in Columbia assisted the family with arrangements.