William R. “Bill” Chandler, 80, a longtime resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed away at his home, surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, February 18, 2012.
Bill was born on February 7, 1932 in Monrovia, California, the son of William & Ruth (Adams) Chandler. He was raised and attended school in Spokane, WA.
He served his country in the Naval Air Reserves from 1951 to 1959.
Bill moved to the Sedro-Woolley area in 1962. He had careers with both LTV Skagit Projects and Bendix. He was also the owner & manager of the Cascade Courts for several years and was a co-owner of Bean Hardware for many years. He was also active in city affairs, serving on the city council for two years and was active with the Jaycees. He was also a member of the Eagles club and the American Legion.
Bill was united in marriage to Deanna Kay (Duncan) Johnson in Sedro-Woolley on February 13, 1970 and they made their home in Sedro-Woolley until her death in 1999.
Bill had been legally blind for the last several years, but he thoroughly enjoyed listening to books on tape provided by the U.S. Library of Congress.
Bill is survived by his companion of 10 years, Yvonne Garrity at the family home in Sedro-Woolley. His children, Jeff Chandler and his wife, Debbie of Spokane, WA, Joel Chandler and his wife Veronica of Sedro-Woolley, Jay Chandler and his partner, Tony Caruso of San Jose, CA and Joni Reynolds and her husband, John of Advance, NC. His sister, Helen Holland of Kennewick, WA; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Deanna and brother-in-law & friend, Jake Holland.
Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials in Bill’s memory are suggested to Hospice of the Northwest, 819 S 13th Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98274. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
I met Bill Chandler in the late 1950’s while serving in the Naval Reserve at NAS Seattle Washington. We became fellow crew members on multi-engine patrol aircraft. Bill specialized in radio/electronics and I served as flight engineer. Bill was a highly motivated and dedicated individual.
Bill and I had many common interests in those early years. For example, in addition to our aviation interests, we were both recently married with small children going through the typical struggles of young families starting out on limited budgets. As such our families shared many enjoyable activities together, experiences that have remained in our memories ever since, even though job opportunities required us to relocate to different parts of the country.
I am very proud to have had Bill as a friend and very impressed to have read about all of the activities in which he participated during his lifetime.
Dear Yvonne and Chandler Family,
I was sorry to hear of Bill’s passing.
I started working with Bill at Skagit in the 1960’s. Bill had the ability to design the electrical controls for the mechanical equipment designed and built by Skagit. The numerous stories and jokes would enlighten our day.
Tom Doan
Dear Chandler Family and Yvonne,
I will remember sharing Bill’s Lucky Strikes when Hema would let me buy only the low tar cigarettes.
Our conversation over correcting him when he used”to” instead of” too” (for also), and he told me,”How can you correct me when I grew up studying in English and you from a foreign country?” I remember the good times and laughs I shared with Bill at work. Our thoughts are with you as you cope with the loss.
Nitin Vasavada
I will miss talking to u on the phone and all your jokes u would tell us as kids. We asked u on time what your real name was u said Hank smirker Meyer so that’s been your name ever since even when we realizes it was bill or grandpa willy. When we talked to u we had to be great just not ok because if your a Chandler u are always Great. I must be extra special cause I’m a chandler and my middle name is also Rae I will always take pride in being a Chandler. I had the best grandpa a girl could ask for . I will always remember the chats on the phone or when we came and visited u. I also know u are my angel now and u can see better now. I love u grandpa hank smirkle meyer R.I.P. I will miss u like crazy but know your not hurting no more I love u xoxoxoxoxoxo
Bill,
I will miss sitting around your dining room table and solving the world’s problems.
I will miss hearing your stories of hunting in the snow wearing your cowboy boots.
I will miss your inquiring mind questioning why I did certain things.
I will miss talking about our children and how proud we are of them.
I remember when we rented cabins at Loon Lake and spent the week with our children.
I remember how you and Dee arranged for me to meet my wonderful wife, Sylvia.
I remember how we agonized over buying and then selling Bean Hardware.
I remember our trips overseas and to the oil rigs on the North Seal
Bill, I will miss and remember you forever.
Ed Mangold
425-478-7499
I am sorry that I could not visit with you this Christmas prior to leaving for AZ for the winter months.
We will get together sometime down the road and do all of these things, again!