Frederick Chilton

Frederick P. (Bill) Chilton, 94, long-time resident of Las Cruces, died in Eugene, Oregon on January 16th 2012. He was born on April 11, 1917 in Elida, New Mexico to Ralph Chilton and Callie Thompson Chilton. He was the youngest of five children and grew up on the family's ranch. Bill attended Elida High School where he was class president, a member of the basketball team and valedictorian. In 1934, Bill moved to Las Cruces to study accounting at New Mexico College of Agricultural and Mechanical Arts (Present day NMSU). While attending night school, he worked by day in the parts department of Means Chevrolet. At that job he met the love of his life, Elisa Chavez. Following a brief courtship, Bill and Elsie were married on August 22, 1936 at St. Genevieve's Catholic Church. He loved his wife's Spanish heritage and embraced it as his own. He learned Spanish to communicate with his in-laws and it served him well in his business. During their fifty-four year marriage they had eight children; five girls and three boys, the realization of their desire to have a large family. In 1946, Bill became a partner in the Shirley Motor Company, a Studebaker dealership. Soon afterwards, Bill and Elsie built their home on Melendres Street where they raised their children and resided for over fifty years. In 1950, Bill opened the Chilton Finance and Insurance Company, which he owned and operated until his retirement in 1981. His oldest son, Warren became his business partner as the family business grew. By determination and exhaustive work, Bill was successful in annexing nearly one hundred acres to the northeast part of Las Cruces, which was later to become the "Las Alamedas" area of the city. During his working career and in retirement, Bill was active in numerous community and church organizations. He and Elsie were active members of Holy Cross School PTA. He was a member of the fund-raising committee to build the new Holy Cross School and Church in the early 1960's. In his retirement, his volunteer work took him to private homes and hospitals to minister, with others, to the sick and elderly. He also visited the state prison to minister to the inmates. Being a Eucharistic Minister brought him great personal joy. His work with Jardin de Los Ninos also brought him joy and satisfaction, as he helped with the care of small children and infants. Bill was a long standing member of the Las Cruces Lions Club and the New Mexico Consumer Finance Association. In his later years Bill worked with prodigious will and passion with the local Right to Life organization. He lobbied, walked picket lines and worked on mailing campaigns along side younger members. He is greatly respected and loved by those members. Bill enjoyed traveling to all parts of the country to visit his children, grand-children and other family members. He loved weddings, anniversaries and family reunions. He was looking forward, with great anticipation to his ninety-fifth birthday party. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Callie Chilton; his wife, Elsie Chavez Chilton; his sister Essie Mae Ellison; his brothers, Jim, Gordon and Leslie Chilton; his daughter-in-law, Maxine (Moe) Abernathy Chilton; and son-in-law Jerry Wood. He is survived by his son, Warren Chilton and daughter-in-law Darlene Chilton of Las Cruces; daughter Rebecca and husband John Wilson of Oregon; son Fred Chilton of Las Cruces; daughter Lisa Wood of Santa Fe; daughter Lillia and husband Michael Carvalho of California; daughter Charlotte Chilton of Arizona; son Bino (Norman) Chilton of Las Cruces; daughter Helene and Larry Hughitt of Oregon. He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Bill was a man of great character known for his kindness, gentleness and generosity. His greatest joy in life was spending time with his children and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Funeral arrangements are pending.