William Grier Chesnut Jr.

William Grier Chesnut, Jr. went home to glory on Wednesday, June 13, 2018. He suffered a major heart attack in 1989. Thanks to a talented medical community and his strong faith in Jesus Christ, Bill cherished another 29 years surrounded by family and friends who loved and adored him.

Bill was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and came to Texas to attend Southern Methodist University. There, he met his wife of 46 years, Mary Louise Oliver, the love of his life, who preceded him in death. Following graduation, Bill joined the Air Force, serving as a jet pilot stationed in Waco “successfully defending the Brazos River”. After completing military service, the Chesnuts returned to Dallas to raise three children. Bill worked as a stockbroker for over fifty years, where he was blessed with countless clients who became lifelong friends.

Bill was active in his church, serving as a high school Sunday school teacher and church leader for years, bringing a passion for missions. He was a founding member of Park Cities Presbyterian Church.

Bill enjoyed exploring American and European cities on foot, discovering new restaurants ahead of the curve, Christmas shopping, art collecting, dressing in bright clothes and telling jokes that were sometimes funny.

Bill was thankful for lifelong friends from his college fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, his supper club, “Birding at Bob’s”, his church, the Dallas Country Club and the Saturday Breakfast Club. They made his life richer.

Bill was devoted to and is survived by his children and their families: Doug and Jill Chesnut, Dan and Mary Chesnut, Frank and Amy Wood, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Tuesday, June 19, at 12:00 p.m. at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, 4124 Oak Lawn, Dallas, TX, 75219, with a reception immediately following in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bill’s name to Park Cities Presbyterian Church or to The Center for BrainHealth, 2200 West Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas 75235.

We will miss him. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”: Philippians 1:21.