Search by Name

Search by Name

Billy Newton Chase

1929 - 2018

BORN

1929

DIED

2018

FUNERAL HOME

Treasure Coast Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

950 S.E. Monterey Road

Stuart, Florida

Billy Chase Obituary

Billy Newton Chase

Stuart, FL

Billy Newton Chase, 89, lover of pecan pie, scratch-offs, and Jai-Alai, passed away at his home on June 10, 2018. He was born in Stuart on January 23, 1929 in a small house on Snake (Salerno) Road to Newt & Rena Chase where he lived with his three sisters, Margie, Leona, and Shirley. Billy grew up with chickens, pigs, cows, assorted varmints, and, at one time, a rattlesnake he thought was a baby alligator.

He went to elementary school in Port Salerno where, in his infinite wisdom, he always thought it best to leave his shoes on the bus and go to school barefoot. He attended Stuart High School and graduated in the Band Shell at Memorial Park in 1949. After graduation he was sent to Camp Pickett in Virginia and was eventually stationed in Germany where he proudly served his country as a Corporal in the U.S. Army.

Billy held many jobs throughout his life. After school, he worked at Kindred's Grocery and Rowell Furniture. He raced cars, taught math, ran a local hotel, sold real estate, and built houses from bottom to top. Building and woodworking were two of his passions. In the early 50's, Billy drove a semi and hauled the first load of fresh flowers out of Stuart with his lifelong friend, Paul Donaldson. From 1970 until 1980, Billy "a/k/a Chili Dog" (his CB handle) owned and operated the Snack Basket, a popular local hangout where everyone came to eat the VERY BEST food in town. Closest to his heart was his career in law enforcement. He was a City of Stuart Police Officer in the 50's, patrolled the City with pride, and personally knew most everyone in town. In 1980, he was the Desk Sergeant of the Martin County Sheriff's Office where he was the first person people would see as they walked in the door. Whether it was the public or the press, he would handle every situation that came across his desk, including once advising a resident to put tin foil on her TV antennae to keep the aliens away. He was the Master, the Proprietor, the Gatekeeper. He had an answer for every question and a solution for every problem. He retired from the Sheriff's Office in 2001 and returned to his love of furniture and cabinet making in his woodworking shop. He fixed ANYTHING that needed to be fixed and built ANYTHING that needed to be built, with very little bloodshed. If there was an old piece of furniture or vacuum cleaner on the side of the road, he would find it, fix it, and give it new life.

Billy never met a pocket knife he didn't like. He loved sunrises at the beach, breakfast with friends, biscuits and gravy, elephants, fried shrimp, meatloaf, orange marmalade, sports, rice pudding, pancakes, lemon curd, westerns, and Louis L'Amour books. He loved his random road trips. He'd go around the corner for coffee and then call home from Okeechobee! He was not one to complain much...but he hated broccoli and gout. He drove us nuts with the clicking sounds he'd make while eating his favorite honey lemon cough drops, and he knew it. He thought people should mind their own damn business and believed cars should never be purchased new. He was a great storyteller and loved to make people laugh by just being Billy. Above all, he was a man of his word and loved spending time with his family and many, many special friends.

Billy was THE VERY BEST and fiercely devoted husband, father and family man. He is survived by his wife, Wanda, and his loyal cat and best buddy, Yoshi; his children, Steven Chase (Patsy) of Colorado and grandson, Christopher Chase of Tennessee; Tracy Chase Barnes (Doug) and Jennifer Chase (Dwayne), both of Stuart; his sister, Shirley Hubbard (Jerry) of Melbourne; stepson, Doug Coleman (Corena) and grandchildren, Nikki Coleman and Kyle Coleman of Tennessee; stepdaughter, Michelle Diefendorf (Jeff) and granddaughter, Kayla Diefendorf of Ft. Pierce; great-granddaughter, Simina Ervin of Tennessee; and his eight nieces and nephews, three of which, Randall, Charlene, and Dwight, showed special love and care for Billy. He is predeceased by his parents Newt and Rena Chase and his sisters, Marjorie Hart and Leona Harrison.

It was always Billy's specific wish to not have a service in his honor. He wanted us to say that "He went to the big Jai-Alai in the sky". Therefore, we encourage you to please sign the online Guestbook and feel free to share any special memories you may have.

Memorial donations in memory of Billy may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation, 1201 S.E. Indian Street, Stuart, Florida 34997.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by TC Palm on Jun. 13, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Billy Chase

Sponsored by Treasure Coast Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory.

Not sure what to say?





Joe Crankshaw

August 13, 2018

Billy was a man of his word, spoke his mind, couldn't abide ignorance and was a true friend. Condolences to Wanda and family.

Kelly DeMaria

June 22, 2018

So sorry for your loss - my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love you!

Forrest Yingling

June 18, 2018

I had known Billy since I was a kid. I'd often walk to the Snack Basket from the Ice house to get that great burger and fries. Many times on our way home from the beach a chocolate malt was the thing to have at the end of a long hot day.
Working with him at the Sheriff's Office was certainly a treat as he was one that you always liked being around. God Bless you Billy Chase, you were a one of a kind.

June 15, 2018

He was a great guy. Anytime I had a issue at the bank I would head for the sheriff's office where I knew Billy was. He never failed me. He will be missed. My deepest sympathies to the family.Carol Owens-Watley

June 13, 2018

Many were the times I ate at the Snak Basket - veal with mayo and lettuce on a white bun w/fries. I beleave Billy watched the world go by out of that window. And true enough there was always a story to be heard. I to worked at the sheriff's office and upon walking into the administration office he would call me in and ask how my famly was and another story about my family members. These stories always ended in laughter and his smiling eyes. There are only good memories and
Gods speed. Coleman hodapp

Pam Cowham

June 13, 2018

My deepest condolences to all of the family. Very sorry to hear the news. I bet he will always win Jai-alai in Heaven! Tracy - I have no words. ANYTHING you need - ANYTHING - please let me know. I love you and I am very sorry for your loss. xoxo Pam Cowham

STEVE BIGLIN

June 13, 2018

I moved to stuart in 1974.i met Billy around 1980 when he desided to put beer in the snack basket.i was the beer salesman for miller beer plus a big lover of the snack basket food.Billy was a fun loving guy. I especially loved those "LARGE' ham and cheese sandwiches.every once in a while,i run into someone who knew of the snack basket.if they knew Billy,they always spoke well of him.

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results

Make a Donation
in Billy Chase's name

Memorial Events
for Billy Chase

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Treasure Coast Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

950 S.E. Monterey Road, Stuart, FL 34994

How to support Billy's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Billy Chase's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more