William Richard Chambers

14 December 1932 – 22 April 2023

William Richard Chambers was born December 14, 1932 to Richard Emmitt and Lillie May Chambers in Louisville, MS. In 1947, Richard moved with his parents and brothers, Edward and David, to Scooba, Mississippi where his father built his own Planing Mill. Richard participated in many activities/academics in high school that included football, basketball, tennis, and baseball. He graduated from Kemper County Agricultural High School in 1951.

After High School, Richard joined the Mississippi National Guard in a transportation company where he became the company clerk because of his typing abilities. He was also enrolled at East Mississippi Junior College where he was active in dramatics, public speaking, school paper and yearbook, square dancing, tennis, basketball, and became one of the first male cheerleaders.

In 1953, Richard enlisted in the Air Force as USAF Aviation Cadet and traveled to San Antonio, TX to begin training at Lackland AFB. He attended specialized training in Salina, KS where he met his future wife, Marlene Sandquist on a blind date and on December 1, 1956, they were married.

In 1957 he was released from active Air Force and assigned to the Air Force Reserves where he returned to Ethel, Mississippi. He enrolled that following year in Mississippi State University and graduated with his B.S. School of Business and Industry – Life Insurance.

Richard was recalled to active duty in 1960 with the Air Force as 1st Lt., Navigator/Electronic Warfare Office (EWO). In 1963, he volunteered for the new missile program with the Strategic Air Command, assigned to Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, SD as a MISSILE LAUNCH OFFICER. Richard became the FIRST and, probably ONLY Air Force Officer to be presented the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal 65 feet underground. That same year, Richard entered into the Ohio State Minuteman Education Program and earned a Master of Business Administration Degree.

Richard flew a total of 239.9 combat hours; 47 combat missions over North Vietnam and 23 combat missions over Laos and South Vietnam. He also prepared a Research Study in 1968 called “An Analysis and Study of United States Air Force Basic Doctrine” which was later published and use by Air University for Basic Doctrine. In 1972, Richard became the first EWO to become a squadron commander of heavy bombers in the Strategic Air Command. In 1976, he accepted the assignment to the Air Force Security Service in San Antonio, Texas and was promoted to Colonel in 1978. From 1978-1980 he served on the POW/MIA Board at USAF Headquarters, Randolph AFB.

After many other assignments, Richard elected to retire from the Air Force in February 1981 with over 29 year of service and 31 Awards and Decorations. During his retirement, Richard became active in his local Catholic Church. He was elected President to the Parish Council for eight years, became a Religious Education Teacher for their Confirmation Program and a Third Grade Teacher for the school for the next 13 years. Richard was notified in 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2005 that he had been selected for inclusion in WHO’S WHO AMONG AMERICA’S TEACHERS. Teachers must be nominated by a student who is in the top 10% of his or her class after they graduate from high school or college, as the teacher who made a difference.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents and brothers. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 67 years of marriage, and his 8 children (spouses); Stephen Chambers, Renee Hernan, Melody Canales (Rene), Wayne Chambers (Michelle), Brian Chambers (Laura), Lisa Brewer (Fred), Eric Chambers (Tiffany), and Kristen Brinkley; 26 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements – 2nd May: Visitation from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Colonial Funeral Home (625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, TX 78148). A rosary will take place at 6:30 pm. Mass will be held on 3rd May at 9:30 am at St. Monica’s Catholic Church (501 North St, Converse, TX 78109). Interment will follow at FSH Cemetery (11:15 am) – Shelter #2 (1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209). Flowers may be sent to Colonial Funeral Home (Attn: William R Chambers). In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to St. Monica’s Catholic Church or the Alzheimer Association in his honor.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colonialuniversal.com for the Chambers family.