Billie Chandler LaChance

Billie Evangelyn Chandler LaChance, 89, Titusville, passed from this earth to eternal life July 28, 2016. Billie was born in Orlando, Florida October 18, 1926, the first and only child of William Wilkerson and Gladys Eva (Osteen) Chandler.

Billie was a native Floridian, 1943 Cocoa High School graduate & won the title of Miss Cocoa in 1945. She became a legal secretary in Lake Hearst, New Jersey, then secretary at Banana River Naval Air Station (now Patrick Air Force Base) where she met the love of her life, Edwin Thomas LaChance Jr. They were wed October 1, 1947 and she devoted the rest of her life to being a delightful, loving, supportive wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma and friend to all she met, never knowing a stranger. She was a firm believer in salvation by faith through Jesus Christ alone, a valued and active member of New Life Christian Fellowship, Titusville and ‘matriarch’ of her beloved art group. She made sure anyone in her presence was well fed, openly accepted, and included in her life.

Billie is survived by her 6 children, 24 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren: Tom (Bonnie) LaChance: Nicole (Troy) Propper-Shaina, Colby; Amanda (Jason) Ripoll–Natalia, Gabe, Christian, Mia; Lindsay (Brian) Giera-Paisley, Porter; Hayley LaChance (Brandon); Cathy Smith: Sharilyn (Robbie) Grayson-Katherine, Edith, Liam, Aidan, Ellen, Jane; Ryan (Tori) Smith-Aryn, Dylan, Taylor-Alice; Jeff (Jill) LaChance-Jason; Melanie (Joey) Purdy-Brendan, Dylan; Adrianne (Sam) Grimm; Cole; John (Cheryl) LaChance-Lauren (David) Diaz; Christopher (Sarah); James; Ann Iannuccilli-Nicandro IV (Angela)-Nicandro V; Maria; Suzi (Nathan) Young-Anne Marie (Benjamin)-Brendolyn, Galahad, Xavierra, Avalon, Teah; Caleb; Joshua (Merrie) Young-Tucker; Samuel; Heidi (Zephaniah) Stelzer-Clyde; Adam; Serenity; Arielle; Seth; She was preceded in death by: Bill & Gladys Chandler, parents; Ed, husband of 61 years; Austyn Propper, Ann Catherine LaChance, granddaughters.

Visitation will be Friday, August 5, 6-8 pm, Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home, Merritt Island. Services will be held Saturday, August 6, 10:00 am, New Life Christian Fellowship Church, Titusville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Life’s Food Pantry for help to needy families as Ed and Billie would have desired.