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IN LOVING MEMORY OF William "Bill" Chastain
William "Bill"
Chastain
Nov 6, 1932 — Dec 21, 2017
William "Bill" Chastain's Obituary
A Funeral Service for William "Bill" Chastain, 85, of Marshall, Texas will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 28, 2017 in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home with Bro. Pete Sellers officiating. Interment will immediately follow in New Grover Cemetery, Marshall. A visitation with family and friends will take place Wednesday, December 27, 2017 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Downs Funeral Home. Mr. Chastain passed away Thursday, December 21, 2017 in Marshall.
The youngest of four children, Bill was born November 6, 1932 to Clarence and Lucille Thompson Chastain in Marshall, Texas. After graduating from Marshall High School, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he proudly served for 8 years. After leaving the service, Bill was employed by the Thiokol Corporation, and he and his first wife Helen had three children, William Roy, Barbara, and Janis. Bill also went onto employment at Eastman Kodak where he retired as a drafting supervisor.
By the late 1960s, Bill had become a single father. He was introduced to Sylvia McKay Chastain in 1969. The two wed later that year and welcomed daughter Christy in 1972 and son Joe in 1980. The new family enjoyed family fishing and camping trips, and later, the Ozark Folk Center in Arkansas.
In their 42 years of marriage, Bill and Sylvia raised many pets including dogs, cats, and horses. Their home also became a gathering place for all their loved ones for holidays and often just a place to relax and visit. Bill was an avid researcher of the Chastain family genealogy, by which he built relationships with many extended relatives. He was eager to share the family legacy with anyone willing to lend an ear. For many years, Bill and Sylvia were active members of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Marshall where he served as a deacon and elder. In 2015, Bill joined other friends and family as a member of River Crossing Cowboy Church where he humbly coordinated the prayer team and participated in as many events as he could get to.
Bill is preceded in death by his wife Sylvia, children William Roy and Barbara, his parents, and brother and sisters, Thomas Chastain, Gussie Hill and Gladys Barton. Bill is survived by daughter Janis and husband Curt Boyer of Marshall, daughter Christy and husband Damon Erpelding of Little Elm, son Joe Chastain and wife Maigen with grandchildren Kierstyn and Liam of Marshall, grandson William Cody Chastain and great-grandchildren Aubrey and William of Smithland, TX, grandson Russell Hemli of Marshall, grandson Jack Hemli of Lakeland, Florida and numerous relatives and friends.
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Funeral Services for William "Bill" Chastain
Visitation
December
27
Wednesday
Downs Funeral Home
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Funeral
December
28
Thursday
Chapel of Downs Funeral Home
Starts at 10:00 am
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