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William Chamness Obituary
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.
A successful entrepreneur, Bill established B&C in the 1960s. The business grew in the 1980s into Chamness Enterprise, from which he retired in the late 1990s. He also established Shawnee Trading in the early 1990s.
Bill was employed 18 years at Freeman Coal Mine No. 3. He was a member of Forest Baptist Church in Benton, United Mine Workers of America, Lake Creek Masonic Lodge in Johnston City and Williamson County Motor Patrol. He also was a DeMolay and Shriner.
He took pride helping families with young children stricken with childhood illnesses to obtain medical treatment at Shiners Hospitals for Children.
His hobbies included fishing, traveling and NASCAR. He also 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.
Other survivors include grandsons, Nick (Jennifer) Melvin, Kyle Melvin and Jenna, Dustin Earnheart and Stacey, Trent Earnheart, Kody Earnheart and 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; and special friends who were considered family, Bobby Gillespie, Melynda Mueller and Neal Swain.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Leon Chamness; and sister, Eileen Mahalovich.
Services will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, in Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort with Pastor Steve House officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Lake Creek Masonic Lodge will conduct Masonic rites at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Masonic Children's Home or Shriners.
Online condolences of sympathy may be made at www.unionfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Chamness
Mike McElwrath
December 18, 2013
My prayers go out to the family. He will be truly missed!
Howard Lewis
December 18, 2013
So sorry to hear of Bill's passing !!! My sincerest sympathies go out to Nettie and Becky !!!! Love you all !
Howard and Arlene Lewis
December 17, 2013
Nettie & Family
So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He was a very sweet guy and will be missed. Praying for you all.
Sharon & Terry Chambers
Doug Hitt
December 17, 2013
So sorry to read of Bills passing,my deepest sympathies to his family.
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Raymond Burke
December 17, 2013
Being one of the Oaklawn kids back in the 70's/80's, Mr. Chamness was always nice to me and many others from the neighborhood. A good man will be missed. I am truly sorry for your loss.
December 17, 2013
Nettie and Family,
Bill will be so missed, but his memory will live in our hearts. So sorry for your loss and hope you can find comfort with his memories also.
Mark and Sherry Hall
December 17, 2013
we are so sorry to hear of Bill's passing but we know where he is. we are also members of Forest Baptist Church and we thought a lot of Bill. God bless you all in all the days to come
Trudy Manis (Jones)
December 16, 2013
Nettie & Family: I was very sorry to hear of Bill's passing. We are praying for you and your family.
Deloris Burgess
December 16, 2013
Nettie,so sorry to hear about Bill's passing.i pray that God helps you through this. It isn't easy..there is no words that can can help,at times like these.our hearts are broken,but it does show us,God does take the best.! Your friends are here for you any time.may god bless you and your children. Deloris Burgess
Alvin Brown
December 14, 2013
So sorry for your loss.
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Union Funeral Home - West Frankfort213 East Oak Street, West Frankfort, IL 62896
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