Major Troy Dawson Chappell

Major Chappell was born in Newport News and moved to Williamsburg 43 years ago after completing his military career. He retired as a Major, United States Army Corps of Engineers, in 1978 following his service in Europe, Asia, and United States with combat, construction, and facilities maintenance units as well as senior staff and conceptual studies assignments during all of which he received several awards, commendations, and military medals, which include a Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two clusters, and the Joint Services Commendation Medal. He was educated at Newport News High School, the University of Virginia, and the United States Military Academy; his post-graduate degree in Civil Engineering was conferred from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

From 1969, he became an avid collector and researcher of early English pottery, and he developed a private collection to demonstrate and contrast applications of varied materials, techniques, and designs across two centuries. He authored a limited-edition catalog based on his holdings in 2016: An English Pottery Heritage -- A Survey of Earthenware and Stoneware 1630-1800. For many decades, he was a member of the English Ceramic Circle and the American Ceramic Circle for which he served on the Board of Trustees.

The late Ronald Keith Lucas, Sr., stayed his companion for forty years. Major Chappell's late parents were Richard Jennings Chappell and Virginia Brown Chappell of Newport News.

Major Chappell is survived by one brother, Thomas Warren Chappell, of Georgia.

The funeral service with arrangements by the Nelsen Funeral Home will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 11:00am with military honors in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Newport News.

In place of flowers, all memorial contributions are appreciated for Williamsburg Hospice House, 4445 Powhatan Pkwy, Williamsburg, VA 23188.