William Russell Chastain

CHASTAIN, WILLIAM (BILL) RUSSELL, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on January 30, 2012, after a six month battle with pancreatic cancer. Born January 15, 1941, in Indianapolis, IN, he was the son of Burrell Claude and Helen Catherine (Parsley) Chastain; and is a direct descendant of Pierre Chastain who immigrated from France to America in 1700. Bill and his family moved from Franklin, Indiana, in 1948 to Orlando where he attended Hillcrest Elementary, Howard Junior High, and Edgewater High School. After high school he attended Orlando Jr. College and was in the Army Active Reserve Unit. The Chastain family started in the restaurant business in the early 1950s and at one time operated three family style restaurants in the Central Florida area, the most recognized was "Chastain's" on North Orange Blossom Trail. Bill worked in the family business from his early high school days until he retired and sold the property in 1996. Chastain's was one of old Orlando's popular eating establishments and was in operation for over 43 years. He was an active member of both the Florida and National Restaurant Associations. Also during this time, he raised 500 head of Black Angus cattle and was a member of the National Angus Association. Bill was one of the earliest members of Florida Citrus Sports and has remained an active member and bowl scout since 1972. Other memberships included the Citrus Club, the West Orange Country Club, The Orlando Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose, and Brothers of Other Mothers. He was also honored for donating over 17 gallons of blood to the Central Florida Blood Bank throughout his life. Bill was a follower of Jesus Christ and a faithful member of The First Baptist Church of Windermere. He was very active in his Sunday School class and regularly attended a Monday night Bible study class. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Dr. Kaye
Browning Chastain of Windermere, FL; two daughters, Amanda
Chastain Gufford (Charles) and
Alison Chastain Brackins (Patrick) both of Orlando, FL; and two grandchildren, Courtney Catherine Gufford and Russell Jackson Brackins. He was looking forward to the arrival of his third grandchild in May 2012, another grandson. Bill was predeceased by his parents, one sister, Judith Chastain Woodward, and one daughter, Amy Ellen Chastain. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1, at the First Baptist Church of Windermere's Chapel on Oakdale St./5th Avenue. Funeral Services will be conducted at 11 AM on Thursday, February 2, at the First Baptist Church of Windermere's Downtown Sanctuary, located at 300 Main St. Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Windermere. Arrangements are by Woodlawn Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd. Gotha, FL 34734.
(407)293-1361. Condolences may be offered at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com.