William M. Chappell

1971 - 2023

William M. Chappell

William Michael Chappell, 51, of Ottawa Lake, MI, formerly of Kentucky, passed away, Saturday morning, April 1, 2023, at the Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Toledo, after a valiant battle with cancer. William was born in Toledo, Ohio, April 19, 1971, to parents Tommy D. and Shirley J. (Damschroder) Chappell.

William started his love of music at 8 years of age when he began guitar lessons. He went on to play the drums and teach himself the keyboard. William had a natural beat and helped teach many other students to drum. Beside playing in the Marching and Concert Bands at Whiteford High School, he also played on his drum set at home. Last spring, he joined Walton Christian Church in Kentucky and decided to pull his drum set out of storage. He began playing the drums every Sunday with other band members . His love of music didn't stop at instruments, he also sang in the high school choir. After graduation, in 1989, he took to singing Karaoke as an adult. He sang his last Karaoke just a few weeks before his death. William enjoyed sports such as football, baseball, track, and wrestling starting in elementary school, and continuing up until high school. As an adult, he became an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Michigan Wolverines. He was a member of the local 4-H group Arf-Arf A Hey. He loved dogs and trained his beagle, Princess, for showing at the Monroe County Fair where she earned countless ribbons for her performance.

In 2000, William joined AA, to conquer his alcohol addiction. There he found his passion in helping others due to the help he received. This led him to return to school at the University of Toledo and earn his B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies of Art with and undergraduate degree focused on Social Work, in 2010. He went on to earn his master's degree in criminal justice, specializing in criminal behavior from Tiffin University in 2015. Utilizing his degrees and certifications he worked at ODRC/Toledo Correctional Intuition, Compass, CCRS, Northern Kentucky Medical Clinic, Volunteers of America, Ohio/Indiana CRRD and more recently for Group Recovery Together. William thoroughly enjoyed his job as a Substance Abuse Counselor and working with his groups and clients. He celebrated in their accomplishments, knowing that he helped them to reach their goals. William had faith in anyone walking thru his door that they could succeed because they have made that first step like he did when he joined AA.

William is survived by his loving sons, William Dallas Chappell and Ross Michael Chappell. Also surviving are his mother, Shirley; sisters, Wanda Marie Crawford, Helen Lutricia Perry, and Rosa Diane Bayer; nieces and nephews, Rio, Heather, Michael, Matthew, Connor, and Destiny; God-daughter Jessica Crawford; aunts, Sarah Golatka and Betty Jo Reeves; 9 great nieces and nephews and many cousins; his close friend, Henry Czupich who stood by him through all his antics in life; special friend, Julie Crist Cantu who supported him throughout his illness; and last but not least his dog, Tohru. He was preceded in death by his father Tommy Chappell; grandparents, Sanford and Edna Damschroder, and Ross and Mamie Chappell; uncle, James Chappell; aunts Dolores Damschroder, Marge Fitzgerald, Alice Bradford, and Charlotte Hickerson.

Friends may call at the Reeb Funeral Home, 5712 N. Main St. Sylvania, OH, Monday, April 10th from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The Funeral Ceremony will be conducted at the St. Michael Lutheran Church, Ottawa Lake, MI, Tuesday, April 11th at 10:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon at church. William will be laid to rest at Elliston Cemetery, Graytown, OH. Those wishing to offer memorials, in lieu of flowers, are asked to consider, the St. Michael Lutheran Church or the Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

William's family, especially his sons, meant the world to him. William Dallas and Ross Michael were his pride and joy. He never measured his life in what he earned, or possessions owned. He measured it in hearts touched, the smiles he created, and the love of everything that he shared. He was always a force to be reckoned with and will always be remembered by those who knew him.

Rest easy in Heaven, you have fought a brave battle right up to the end. Online condolences to

www.reebfuneralhome.com