William L. Chamness

William L. (Bill) Chamness went to be with our Lord and Savior Friday Dec. 13, 2013, at 3:17 p.m. at his home surrounded with the love and care of his family.

Bill was born Aug. 31, 1938, in West Frankfort to Charles and Hester (Payne) Chamness. He married his best friend Nettie (Parris) Chamness on March 28, 1959.

Bill was a successful entrepreneur, establishing B&C in the 1960's which grew into Chamness Enterprise in the 1980's which he retired from in the late 1990's.

He then established Shawnee Trading in the early 1990's.

Bill was a member of the Forest Baptist Church in Benton, the United Mine Workers of America and was employed at Freeman No. 3 for 18 years.

He was also a member of Lake Creek Masonic Lodge in Johnston City, the Williamson County Motor Patrol as well as Demolay and was also a Shriner.

He took pride in assisting families with young children stricken with childhood illnesses in obtaining medical treatment needed at the Shiners hospital.

His hobbies included fishing, traveling, Nascar, and he loved the St. Louis Cardinals.

He will be sadly missed by his wife of 54 years, Nettie (Parris) Chamness and two daughters, Diane (Calvin) Melvin and Dana (Kent) Earnheart. Bill and Nettie raised their great-nephew Leon Douglas O'Connor and two great-nieces, Sarah and Becky O'Connor, and considered the children as their own. He is survived by grandsons Nick (Jennifer) Melvin, Kyle Melvin and Jenna, Dustin Earnheart and Stacey, Trent Earnheart, Kody Earnheart, Dylan, Dalton and Jeremiah O'Connor; one beloved granddaughter Mackenzie Johnson and Randy; great-grandchildren Kaylee and Shawn Earnheart, Jayden Melvin and Laina Melvin; nephew Charles David (Paula) Chamness; great-nephew Paul David Chamness; nieces and nephews in Washington and California; special friends considered family Bobby Gillespie, Melynda Mueller and Neal Swain.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brother Leon Chamness and a sister Eileen Mahalovich.

Services will be 7 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 18, 2013, in Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort with Pastor Steve House officiating.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service with Masonic rites conducted at 6:45 pm by Lake Creek, Johnston City. Memorials may be made to Masonic Orphans home or to the Shriners. Online condolences of sympathy may be made at www.unionfh.com.