Willie Leonell "Bill" Chappell Sr.

Bill was born July 16, 1919, in Van Zandt County, TX to Carlton and Ida (Reeves) Chappell, as the eldest of six children. On October 29, 1939, he married his childhood sweetheart, Fay Martin of Seymour, TX. Through their seventy plus years of marriage, they resided in Texas- Seymour, Ft. Davis, and Hamilton; and in Colorado- Alamosa and South Fork.

From an early age, Bill loved three things; cowboying, art, and God. His cowboy experiences and his artistic talents eventually merged into his professional career as an award-winning Western artist. His leatherwork, saddles, paintings and bronzes reflected his unique perspective gained through life as an authentic cowboy.

Bill was a man of strong convictions and great faith. He served as an ordained deacon for over 50 years, acted as a founding member in two churches, and actively worked to help establish a number of missions throughout Colorado. He also served 6 years on the Executive Board of the Colorado Baptist Convention.

He and his wife traveled many miles to art shows across the West, making life-long friends all around the country. He never visited a place in which he did not find some beauty, he never met a stranger, and he loved to entertain his friends with a myriad of life stories. He dearly loved his wife, family, and friends, and will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Fay Chappell, lovingly known as “Babe”; a brother, Kenny Chappell of Alamosa, CO; a daughter, Linda Gillespie and her husband Rueben of Abilene, TX; and sons, Bill Chappell Jr. and his wife, Sue of Albuquerque, NM, and Gene Chappell and his wife Lynn of Austin, TX. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Lisa Sprinkles and husband Jim, Emily Richardson and husband Mike, West Chappell, Cara Chappell, Stephanie Bailey and husband Jeff, Tiffany Gilley and husband Jason, and six great-grand-children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Glen, Dee, and Dub Chappell, and sister, Marietta Hons.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Hamilton General Hospital Health Care Foundation - Mission Mammography, P.O. Box 788, Hamilton, TX, 76531. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.rileyfuneral.com. A very special thanks to Dr. Randy Lee and all the doctors, nurses and support staff at Hamilton General Hospital and Dove Hill, for all their loving care and kindness.