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Obituary for William Eugene "Bill" Chilless
WILLIAM EUGENE CHILLESS, 85, of Paris, passed from this life Wednesday November 28, 2012 at Paris Regional Medical Center. Starrett Funeral Home will conduct a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday December 4, 2012 at Church of the Holy Cross Episcopal, with Rev. Michael Hurst and Rev. Betty Clement as celebrants. His cremains will be inurned in the church columbarium.
The family will greet friends at a reception in the church parish hall following the service.
Bill was born May 9, 1927 in Norman, Oklahoma, a son of William Carl and Lucille Reynolds Chilless. He was a graduate of Norman schools, then entered the U.S. Army in 1945. He earned a Purple Heart for his valiant dedication to his country. After leaving the military he attended the University of Oklahoma, where he played football under the leadership of Coach Bud Wilkinson. In the 1980’s he volunteered with the O.U. track team, as manager, as well as serving as a volunteer with the Norman Police Department. He spent a career of twenty-two years with the Fire Department of the City of Norman, retiring as Assistant Chief. He was a licensed Funeral Director, and blended his firefighting career with funeral service. Bill was a man of high character and had a great work ethic. He epitomized the description of “the greatest generation.” He was a member of the Retired Firefighters Association, and the University of Oklahoma “O” Club. In 2002 he moved with his wife Thelma to Paris, where he was a member of Church of the Holy Cross Episcopal.
He married Thelma Grace Leddy on December 26, 1964 in Norman.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and by one sister, Rosalie Chilless.
Bill is survived by his wife Thelma; a son, Lynn Chilless, of Nashua, New Hampshire; three daughters, Melinda McFarlin and husband Patrick, of Newport, New Hampshire, Linda McVicar, of Manteca, California, and Carol Pillars and husband Billy, of Bonham, Texas; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jerry Chilless, of Oklahoma City, Fred Chilless, of Norman, Oklahoma, and Tedd Chilless, of Portland, Oregon; a sister, JoAnn Racz, of Norman, Oklahoma; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
In lieu of usual remembrances, the family requests memorial contributions to Church of the Holy Cross, 400 S. Church Street, Paris, Texas 75460.
The family will greet friends at a reception in the church parish hall following the service.
Bill was born May 9, 1927 in Norman, Oklahoma, a son of William Carl and Lucille Reynolds Chilless. He was a graduate of Norman schools, then entered the U.S. Army in 1945. He earned a Purple Heart for his valiant dedication to his country. After leaving the military he attended the University of Oklahoma, where he played football under the leadership of Coach Bud Wilkinson. In the 1980’s he volunteered with the O.U. track team, as manager, as well as serving as a volunteer with the Norman Police Department. He spent a career of twenty-two years with the Fire Department of the City of Norman, retiring as Assistant Chief. He was a licensed Funeral Director, and blended his firefighting career with funeral service. Bill was a man of high character and had a great work ethic. He epitomized the description of “the greatest generation.” He was a member of the Retired Firefighters Association, and the University of Oklahoma “O” Club. In 2002 he moved with his wife Thelma to Paris, where he was a member of Church of the Holy Cross Episcopal.
He married Thelma Grace Leddy on December 26, 1964 in Norman.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and by one sister, Rosalie Chilless.
Bill is survived by his wife Thelma; a son, Lynn Chilless, of Nashua, New Hampshire; three daughters, Melinda McFarlin and husband Patrick, of Newport, New Hampshire, Linda McVicar, of Manteca, California, and Carol Pillars and husband Billy, of Bonham, Texas; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jerry Chilless, of Oklahoma City, Fred Chilless, of Norman, Oklahoma, and Tedd Chilless, of Portland, Oregon; a sister, JoAnn Racz, of Norman, Oklahoma; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
In lieu of usual remembrances, the family requests memorial contributions to Church of the Holy Cross, 400 S. Church Street, Paris, Texas 75460.
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