William M. Chapman

William M. Chapman passed away March 19, 2011 following a brief illness. Bill was born August 28, 1924 in Modesto, CA to William Merle and Lillian Brose Nelson. Following the death of his father, a pioneer aviator, Bill was adopted by his stepfather, Georgia Chapman.

Bill Graduated from Modesto High School in 1942. He interrupted his freshman year at Modesto Junior College to join the Army Air Corps, now the Air Force, as an aviation cadet. He received his wings in August 1944, was commissioned a second lieutenant and served as a C-47 pilot in the South West Pacific. He was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant, having been awarded the Air Medal.

At the end of the war, Bill returned to Modesto Junior College where he received an Associate Arts Degree in 1947. He continued his education at the University of Denver, receiving a B.S. Degree in Business in 1949.

Upon graduation, Bill joined Modesto Refrigerating Co., later acquired by Merchants Refrigerating Co. In 1959, he was transferred to New York City, retiring in 1987 as V.P. Sales. At this time, he came to Atlanta as President of United Refrigerated Services. He was also one of the founders of Sierra Pacific Refrigerated Services in 1987.

Bill was active in his industry serving as Chairman of the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses, Chairman of the Allied Industries Committee of the American Frozen Food Institute and on the Board of the National Frozen Food Association.

Bill is survived by his wife, Ann King Chapman; children, William Chapman and wife Linda Chapman; Connie McElwee and husband Andrew McElwee; Robert Chapman; grandchildren, Christopher and William Chapman and Alexandra and Andrew McElwee. His first wife, Carolyn Hendrix Chapman, passed away in 1986.

Other family members include his mother-in-law, Helen King; nephews, David M. Kind and wife Caroline and Major Adam M. King and wife Tara; and niece, Lindsay Kind Pulido and husband Jose.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, March 25, at noon at Roswell Funeral Home with a reception from 3-5 p.m. at Country Club of the South.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 24, evening from 6-8 p.m. at Roswell Funeral Home

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 406 W. 34th St., Kansas City, MO 64111 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.