William Moore Chapman Jr.

In memory of a life well lived, a man much loved. William Moore Chapman, Jr. passed from Earth to eternity with all its blessings on June 1, 2025. Bill was born to William Moore and Alice Blauvelt Chapman February 19, 1942, in Sao Paulo, Brazil where his father was on assignment for Westinghouse International. Bill humorously and repeatedly boasted that all great men are born in February, like Washington and Lincoln, etc. The Chapman family including Bill’s sisters Mary Alice, and Joan moved to New Jersey when Bill was four years old and resided there through his elementary and high school years. Thus, Bill became a lifelong Brooklyn Dodger fan. He attended St. Cecilia High School in Englewood, New Jersey and filled these years with study, various jobs, and extra-curricular activities such as football, basketball co-captain, and student council vice president. If you asked Bill to name the most important part of his high school years, he would immediately, boldly, and proudly respond “meeting and dating my future wife, Sally Hartford!”

South Bend, Indiana was Bill’s next stop as a student at the University of Notre Dame. The words Golden Dome, Irish, and ND invaded and quickly merged with his DNA and probably continue there posthumously! How Bill loved Notre Dame even though the football record during his four years there was one of the worst. 1964 marked Bill’s graduation and his commission from ROTC as Second Lieutenant in the US Army. He then served in the Intelligence Corps in Baltimore, MD and Minneapolis, MN. During that time, he was granted a two-day pass to marry Sally, February 5, 1966, thus culminating an eight year courtship and beginning 59 years as husband and wife.

Following military service, family and supporting that family followed naturally and joyfully. Bill and Sally were blessed with three beautiful, much-loved daughters, Carrie, Christie, and Courtney, often referred to by Bill as “my girls”. He survived and perhaps even thrived surrounded by females that even included their dog, Chelsea. Annual anniversary bouquets always included three pink carnations and a blue one in remembrance of the color Sally wore on their first date.

Bill enjoyed his years of employment with Texaco, Texaco Chemical, and as Vice President of Human Resources for Huntsman Corporation as the family resided in Minneapolis, MN, El Paso, TX, Lawrenceville, IL, New Fairfield, CT, and finally Houston. Through the years and moves, Bill and the family immersed themselves in each community, being active in organizations and especially sports as both participants and fans. Bill’s AKA was often Coach. He especially enjoyed his years of affiliation with Spring Klein Girls Softball with his daughters. Involvement in so many competitive activities resulted in trophies and awards being part of family home décor.

Retirement to the community of Bentwater opened a new world of tennis, golf, travel, friendships, and organizational involvement in which Bill thrived and thoroughly enjoyed.

While history and facts are important and interesting they certainly don’t define the person. The loss of Bill is mourned, and he will be missed because of the kind of person he was and the wonderful, caring personality he shared whether at home, in the office, on the ballfield, or in the grocery store. How he loved his wife, daughters, and grandchildren- spouses included. It would be impossible to count all the activities he supported and attended and all of the concern he felt for each family member.

Bill’s interest and concern for so many people he met through work, organizations, and communities was evident as he made it a point to know and remember the names of each friend’s or coworker’s family members and news about them. His grandchildren called him The Mayor because he would naturally and enthusiastically interact with people he didn’t know. In addition, Bill’s Catholic faith and his friends were important to him and he cherished them. He served on Parish councils, was an acolyte and Eucharistic Minister, and a dedicated member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for St. Mary’s Parish in Plantersville for many years.

When reviewing Bill’s life, one other aspect must be highlighted. When friends hear the name Bill Chapman, the identity they immediately attached to the name is probably Notre Dame. Bill was a Domer. He followed all aspects of Notre Dame online, especially football. He was current on all their sports and rose and fell with team results. Most gifts that he received related to Notre Dame…shirts, mugs, glasses, blankets, hats. His license plate has Notre Dame on it and his email address is related to the Irish. As such, as we commit our beloved Bill to eternal life, we hug his spirit and prayerfully and enthusiastically bid him, “Go Irish”!

Bill is survived by his wife, Sally, and their daughters, Carrie (Mike) and Christie (Jason). Their daughter Courtney is deceased but lovingly leaves behind her husband Alan and their children Nick (Averie) and Peyton. Other grandchildren loving and missing their Papa are Hayden (Robbie), Heath (Ashley), Will and Cole. Bill‘s sister Joan also survives him.

There will be a Memorial Mass on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 8227 Cr205, Plantersville, Texas followed by a lunch hosted by St. Mary’s Alter Society in the Parish Hall.

If you wish to honor Bill’s memory through a donation to a special cause or organization please consider St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul Society that is devoted to helping those in need. PO Box 388, Plantersville, TX 77363.

The Chapman family would like to recognize with sincere gratitude the personnel of Devotions Hospice who provided such excellent and loving care for Bill.