We waited around home to see if we should/would be able to visit Grandma. By the time we got the go ahead, it was time for us to host a birthday party at our house.
We will go visit her tomorrow.
William J. "Bill" Chambers
August 8, 1919 ~ July 23, 2017
William J. "Bill" Chambers, our beloved husband and patriarch, passed away as a result of too many birthdays (97), and 16 days short of his 98th, in his home on July 23, 2017.
Bill was born in Eden, Utah, on August 8, 1919, to Alma Chambers and Agnes Stallings. When only five years old, after the death of their mother, Bill and two of his siblings went to live with their maternal grandparents. A baby brother was raised by his paternal aunt and uncle.
Bill graduated from Weber College in 1939, and then left to serve a LDS mission in Hawaii and years later served a mission with Marilyn in the Philippines.
Upon his return, he taught at the elementary school in Eden during the 1941-42 school year. Called into active duty in 1943 and served in the front lines in Europe where he was awarded his purple heart.
He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University. He worked in the federal civil service at both Defense Depot Ogden and Hill Air Force Base. After retiring from the federal government, he worked as an elementary teacher in both the Ogden and Weber School districts.
Always a dapper dresser while working in the field, he was known for wearing his trademark white tee shirts, pith helmet, black knee-length irrigation boots and worn leather gloves.
A faithful member of the church, he provided dedicated service at both the ward and stake levels.
Bill and Marilyn's love story began after local match makers successfully paired them up. They became engaged only one week after their first date and were married three months later in the Salt Lake Temple on September 30, 1948.
They were blessed with five children: Pat (Bruce) Korth, Ann (Brad) Barker, Paul (Kathy) Chambers, Kathy (Robert) Jensen, and Neil (Kyungmin) Chambers.
His posterity consists of 26 grandchildren, 52 and counting great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Bill was known for his quick wit and ready laugh. He couldn't sing but he loved music. He enjoyed writing prose and poetry, producing numerous plays and productions for both church and school.
His strong fruit punch was known to simultaneously make lips pucker, toes curl and hair grow.
Sometimes dad came across as a lion but was really a lamb. He was our champion and trusted adviser. We will miss him very much.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, brothers and a granddaughter.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2017, at the North Ogden Stake Center, 626 E. 2600 North, at 11 a.m. with the viewing prior to service from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Interment will be at the Ben Lomand Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at:
www.myers-mortuary.com
