William G. Chumley, born January 2nd 1926, passed away at Saint Francis Hospice in Titusville on Tuesday 5/30/18, at 92 years of age. His early years were spent in the Tazewell, Tennessee area driving a coal truck at the tender age of about 13 years old to working with the water system his father owned and operated in Tazewell. He helped drill well fields and read meters while growing to a young adult. When WW II began he enlisted on December 30th 1943, at the age of 17, entering active service January 17th 1944, in the Army Air Corp as a fighter pilot in training. He wed Margaret Erligne Payne on November 24th 1944 beginning his new family with a son James A. born 9/6/45. Combat orders eluded him due to VE day and the subsequent transfer of more experienced pilots to the pacific theater of operations. Upon honorable discharge on November 6th 1945, he returned to his new bride and son. After a brief stint working with a couple of employers, he found employment with GMAC and began a career in finance. He broke with GMAC taking a job with Florida National Bank in Key West July 1959 through March of 1962. Beginning employment with Barnett Bank in Cocoa in April of that same year he retired as Vice President in 1988 after 26 years. This canned version above does not mention the so called “bucket list” of activities he enjoyed throughout. He raced dirt track in Tennessee and Kentucky under the pseudonym of “Wild Bill Richards” and raced boats on occasion in the Key West area. This while Cuba was in revolt and the refugees were leaving after Castro took over before the infamous “Cuban Missile Crisis”. The original space race was in progress when he moved into the Cocoa area and he brushed shoulders with the heroes of that period through multiple organizations he participated in. He pursued his love of aviation as a private pilot and spent much time traveling all over. He especially enjoyed helping transport burn victims to the Shrine Hospitals in private airplanes. Reflecting his early race days he invested and worked in a partnership racing an IROC Camaro under Altico Racing participating in the 24 hour of Daytona and Sebring races. Some of his fond memories included driving around the Daytona racetrack with Miss Universe and camping in style in the infield. He was amazed at the coincidences involved in being at many historical locations at pivotal times of great changes.
Our father participated in many social activities including Jaycees, Kiwanis, Loyal Order of Moose, Rotary, Bahia Shrine Temple, Azan Shrine Temple, Azan Aviators/”Flying Fez”, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, American Legion, Royal Order of Jesters (Shrine affiliated), Quiet Birdmen, Brevard Aviation Association, Family Motor Coach Association, Melbourne Shrine Club, and 1st Methodist Church. There may be some omitted and I apologize if I missed a few. He enjoyed numerous activities including flying, bingo, poker, and the events his memberships offered.
Preceded in death by his wife Margaret (Peggy) Payne Chumley of nearly 70 years who died June 25th 2014, he joins her in heaven. Survived by son James A. Chumley (wife Chrys Sawyer), of Leander, TX; son, Joseph E. Chumley (wife Cheryl Sheffield) of Lakeland, FL: son, William P. Chumley (wife Kathy May) of Titusville, FL; daughter, Margaret C. Schneider (husband Bobby Schneider) of Cocoa, FL, 11 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.
Back with Mom again, his "home sweet home" in Heaven
Donations in memory of Bill may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospitals burn victims (www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org), by mail to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Burn Center, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607, or by calling 800-237-5055.
