William David Chandler, better known as Billy Dave by his family and friends passed away on Nov. 3, 2014 at his assisted living home in Vacaville, California at the age of 84. He fought a long battle with Alzheimers that eventually led to his peaceful passing in his sleep.
Billy Dave was born on Sept. 30, 1922 to Lewis and Ercel Chandler in Oklahoma. He was one of three boys and four girls.
Early in his childhood, his parents decided to move their family to Adna, Washington due to an employment opportunity, driving their family car across the country with all of their kids in tow.
Billy graduated from Adna High School in 1950 and went on to enlist in the Air Force. It was when he was stationed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that he met the love of his life, Blanca. The two were married in a Catholic church on Nov. 21, 1952 and celebrated 62 years of marriage before he passed.
After 23 years of service, he was honorably discharged from the Air Force. He and Blanca made their permanent home in Vacaville, California, along with their two children, Lewis Chandler and Valerie Chandler-Hughes. Bill took to driving a long haul mail truck for Lange Trucking Company, which he did for several years before retiring.
After retirement, Billy participated in the Senior Olympics, was on a senior softball team and enjoyed restoring antique vehicles with his son, Lew, as well as watching him race cars.
Bill is survived by his wife, Blanca Rosa Chandler; son, Lewis (Kim) Chandler; daughter, Valerie (Tom) Hughes; as well as his three grandkids, Kayla (Kyle) Grose an, Joel Chandler and Lauren Chandler. Billy was able to meet his great-grandson, William Jack Grose shortly before his passing and a great-granddaughter, Holly Rose Grose is expected to be born in December. He is also survived by siblings, Vernalee North, Bobbie Chandler, Jessie Chandler and Barbara Bush.
Bill was preceded in death by both of his parents, Lewis and Ercel Chandler; brother, Harmon Chandler; and sister Blanche Raschke.
Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph Church in Chehalis, Washington at 10:00 a.m. on Dec. 13, 2014 and immediately followed by a Military Service at Claquato Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. where all family and friends are welcome.
A celebration of life will be held at Larry Raschke’s in Adna following the burial service.
Billy Dave will always be remembered as a fun-loving, practical joker by all that knew him. One of his favorite sayings was “Don’t thank me, just thank God he made me as good as I am.”
