William M. Chambers Jr.

William M. Chambers Jr.

Went home to his Heavenly Reward in the early morning hours of Saturday, November 19, 2011.

Bill was born at home in Canterbury on June 30, 1934; the only child to William and Mabel Chambers. Bill married the love of his life, the former Betty Louise Layton, on August 31, 1957.

Bill graduated from Felton High School in 1952 and attended the University of Delaware. He proudly served our country with several years in the Army National Guard and a tour of active duty in Germany. He was assigned to the 3rd Missile Battalion, 21st Artillery Headquarters Battery. Sgt. E-5, Bill received his honorable discharge in December, 1958.

Upon returning home, Bill joined the family business, Wm. M. Chambers & Son. He has continued as owner-operator of the business, begun in 1915 by his father. Bill continued the business roots as a welding, body building and tow truck operation. Later he and his wife expanded with a school bus business and opened a new business, Chambers Motors in Seaford in 1977. His son, Jeff, heads up that business. The businesses had Dodge and Chrysler franchises for many years.

Wm. M. Chambers & Son is on the verge of celebrating its 100th Anniversary, which Bill was dearly looking forward to sharing. He would say, we will really have a big party. Daughter, Bonnie, and his grandchildren are also taking up the reigns with Jeff in the businesses.

One of Bill's proudest moments was being presented with a plaque by the Delaware State Police. They recognized Bill and the family business as the oldest Towing Company in the State of Delaware; actually towing prior to the inception of the Delaware State Police organization.

Bill was an outstanding leader in his business and in the community. He showed only a humble, honest and sincere compassion for his every endeavor.

Bill is a member of the Viola Methodist Church, where he had served as a lay leader and on the Board of Trustees, in the past. He was a lifetime member of the Felton Fire Company. He was a charter member of the VCF Ruritan Club and was a member of the DE Farm Bureau. He served as Democratic Committeeman for several years. He is a member and Past President of the Felton High School Alumni Association and served in advisory to the Welding classes at Kent Vo-Tech School. He served on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Harrington, JC Penney Bank and the Felton Bank. He is also a member of the U.S.T.A. and the DSOA, and Cloverleaf Horsemen's Associations.

Bill's heartfelt joy was being elected to the Board of Directors of the Delaware State Fair in 1966. He was elected President of the Fair in 1988 and served in the capacity of President to 1996. He continued to serve on the Boards of the Fair and Harrington Raceway to present.

During Bill's Fair Presidency, he recognized the dire need to momentarily perpetuate the Fair and Raceway. Through his love and vision for that future and with relentless determination and leadership, Bill assisted the Boards to bring about business changes to develop the Fair and Raceway, as it is today.

Bill thought of every customer, policeman and acquaintance as a friend.

Going before Bill, were his parents, William and Mabel; a daughter, Wendy; father and mother in law, Wilbur and Zella Layton; sister in law and brother in law, Virginia and Samuel Coverdale.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Betty L. Chambers; his son, Jeffery L. Chambers and wife Elizabeth; daughter, Bonnie L. Chambers; grandchildren, Jennifer L. Lloyd and husband Ryan; Amanda L. Chambers, Rebecca L. Chambers, Joseph E. Chambers and William M. Chambers; great-grandchildren, Faith, Wil, Grace and Abigail Lloyd; son-in-law, Anthony Bodolus and nephew, Wilbur L. Coverdale and several cousins. He is survived by many present and former employees and his fellow Board members, classmates and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, November 27, at 1 pm, at the Delaware State Fair, 18500 South Dupont Highway Harrington, DE 19952 at the Exhibition Hall, where friends may call for a viewing and visitation from 11 am to 1 pm. Interment will be at Barratts Chapel Cemetery, Frederica, DE. Following interment, food and fellowship and time of reminiscing will be in the Gold Room at Harrington Raceway, Harrington, DE.

Arrangements handled by
BERRY-SHORT FUNERAL HOME, Felton, DE