Randall "Randy" Ward Sliger

Randall Ward Sliger, 57 of Athens Tennessee died on Monday night, June 2nd at Starr Regional Medical Center with his family alongside him.

Randall was a lifelong native and resident of Athens, Tennessee. He graduated from McMinn County High School in 1986 and also attended Cleveland State community college.

Among many things he was known for, he was the beloved and familiar voice on the radio in McMinn and surrounding counties. Radio was a lifelong passion for him. From his teenage years Randy worked and studied alongside his father Jim Sliger operating WJSQ FM in Athens, learning on air announcing, engineering, programming and computing. In 1983 WLAR AM was acquired and brought into the family where Jim and Randy together formatted the station with easy contemporary music and it was one of only a few stations in East Tennessee to be AM stereo. In the early 90's Randy and Mike Anderson started WYGO Y-99.5 which still broadcasts today. Shortly thereafter Randy then acquired WCLE-AM 1570 in Cleveland and built FM 104.1 licensed to Calhoun. Randy did thousands of remote broadcasts at area businesses and events, engineering sports broadcasts and providing election coverage. Randy also loved working with other stations and helped many people in the radio business.

Randy was also active in the community. He took great pride in helping others all while helping himself in the recovery community. He regularly attended meetings involving the 12 step spiritual process along with mentoring those in the recovery community. He admired the work of The Grace House in Athens serving as a board member from 2019 until his death.

He had also been a member for over 30 years of the Elks Lodge in Athens where he served in various capacities including the holding offices of Exalted Ruler and Trustee, but also built some lifelong friendships during his time there.

Randy also loved flying airplanes having acquired his pilots license and had logged many hours and spent a lot of time at the McMinn County Regional Airport.

Survivors include his sister Emilee and Steve Elliott of Nevada and Melissa and Camden Sutherland of Athens, nephew Ethan Barrett of Athens along with several other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be 7:00 PM Sunday, June 8, 2025 in Chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Pastor Linda Parton officiating. Graveside services will be 11:00 AM Monday, June 9, 2025 at McMinn Memory Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Ethan Barrett, Camden Sutherland, Allen Carter, Scott Cass, Alfred Hacker and Jeff Cunningham. The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Sunday prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to The Grace House in Athens, The McMinn Regional Humane Society or Elks National Foundation. Those unable to attend may send condolences to www.laycock-hobbs.com/obituaries/Randy-Sliger.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home in Athens is in charge of the arrangements.