Bill Mitchell Tribute

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Tennessee State Senators and Representatives honored former News 12 employee Bill Mitchell for his decades of service to the broadcast world. They presented him with a resolution for his media service.

“I know you’ve been at WDEF for 26 years, but you’ve served in the media for 62 years,” said Tennessee Senator Bo Watson. “That’s an incredible history and you’ve left behind an incredible legacy.”

They granted him the resolution because of his “devotion and enthusiasm” to his career.

Senator Watson continued, “A resolution like this actually makes you a part of Tennessee’s story.”

Multiple elected officials, friends and family of Mitchell graced the News 12 studio, explaining to the group just how much of an impact he has left to so many people, including themselves.

“In the library and archives in the state of Tennessee, your story will be part of Tennessee’s story,” Senator Watson said. “100 years from now when someone is studying the history of media in the state of Tennessee, they may come across Bill Mitchell and what your contributions have been to this state and this community.”

State Senator Todd Gardenhire explains how throughout his line of work, Bill always made sure to be fair. “There wasn’t going to be a gotcha. I knew when you referred one of your reporters to us, I knew we were going to get a fair shape,” Senator Gardenhire said.

Hamilton County Representative Greg Martin even explained that Bill was always someone they would make sure to pick up a call from. “We don’t pick up the phone with everyone but we always pick up when Bill calls,” Rep. Martin said.

Bill Mitchell himself finished off the recognition by telling the crowd how honored he was. “They let me stay here – thank you Phil and Dutch – way past my shelf life.”