Edward (Ed) Walter Chance, III

Edward (Ed) Walter Chance III was born June 26, 1955, in Shreveport, LA, to Evelyn Ann Davenport Chance of Ferriday, LA, and Edward Walter Chance Jr. of Shreveport, LA. His celebrated life came to an end after a brief illness on December 3, 2025.

Ed is preceded in death by his father, Ed, and his mother, Nan Chance. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Nanci Rayburn Chance; his daughter, Chelsey Chance Weatherly and husband, Eric; his brother, John Dumas Chance, and wife, Kate; his sister, Lisa Chance; his dear cousin, Marke Robertson and wife, Gayle; brother-in-law, Michael Rayburn and wife, Melody and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and life-long friends.

Ed grew up in Bossier City and was a 1973 graduate of Airline High School. He worked in his father's store, Ed’s Supermarket, when he was young and later owned his own grocery stores in St. Joe and Haughton. After leaving the grocery store business, he built a career at Cintas and formed relationships that extended well beyond the workday. He had fond memories of his colleagues and enjoyed telling stories of those he dubbed “the old-timers.” He was a dedicated employee who had high expectations for trainees and a low tolerance for slackers. In those days, his “lunch” would often consist of a cigarette, a Diet Coke, and a BC powder.

A mutual friend set Ed and Nanci up on a blind date on the opening day of dove hunting season in September 1980. They were married in April 1981 and had their daughter, Chelsey, in July 1982. Ed and Nanci were quite the pair and were known for their affectionate and often colorful banter. Their relationship stood the test of time and was a true testament to sticking together in good times and bad, through sickness and health.

Affectionately known as Little Ed to some and Eddie C to others, he had a zest for life, a heart for helping others, and a quick wit with one-liners that left everyone in stitches. He was a gentle, kind soul who loved his pets. He was known to allow Chelsey to bring home animals on more than one occasion, often to Nanci’s dismay.

Ed had a lifelong love of hunting and fishing. He made many memories hunting with Jerry and the boys in Hall Summit. He especially cherished his trips, his most recent just three weeks ago, to visit his cousin Marke in Mississippi, where they reminisced about childhood and where he was guaranteed to find himself a deer. On nice days, you’d find him on the lake with his fishing buddy, Tommy. During the summer, every other Thursday was dedicated to tournament fishing with his dear friend and fishing partner, Dudley. Nothing got in the way of those tournaments, and all other activities would be scheduled accordingly.

Although he was an avid outdoorsman, Ed was not a camper. When the subject of camping would come up, he’d quip, “My idea of camping is black and white TV and slow room service!” He was quick with a one-liner, often while driving. A few of his frequent comments were, “I guess that model didn’t come with a blinker,” when someone failed to use their signal, or “What shade of green are you waiting on?” when someone remained stopped after a green light.

Ed was an excellent cook and thoroughly enjoyed sharing his gift of good food with others. He could be found manning the BBQ pit at the Mardi Gras parades, selling chicken quarter plates for his daughter's high school dance line, frying fish at church gatherings, and even as recently as this Thanksgiving, frying and smoking turkeys for family and friends.

Ed found great joy in spending time with family and was especially fond of the time spent with his nephews Brady and Jay. He was extremely proud of their accomplishments and thoroughly enjoyed watching their children’s sporting events. Ed also shared a particularly special bond with his son-in-law, Eric, whom he considered the son he never had. Ed enjoyed offering his personal tips and tricks to Eric, and Eric enthusiastically served at Ed’s beck and call.

Visitation will be held Monday, December 8, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 9, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church of the Highlands. Officiating will be Father John Henson. Interment will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery.

Honoring Ed as pallbearers will be Eric Weatherly, Jay Snell, Brady Chance, Paul Kelly, Cory Sipes, and Mikey Haley. Honorary pallbearers include Marke Robertson, Dudley Beene, and Jerry Spiers.

The family would like to thank the team at WK Pierremont ICU, specifically Dr. Scott Howard, RN Bailey Carmody, RN Haley Bain, and Respiratory Therapist Cretia Straughan. Special thanks also to Dr. Jason Calligas, Dr. Jonathan Davis, and Dr. Melanie Smith. Finally, thanks to the spiritual care Ed and our family received from Father John Henson and Deacon Lois Mayberry.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dream Hunt Foundation, 315 Deer Crossing, Stonewall, LA 71078 (dreamhunt.tv).