January 17, 2025

William J. Chapman

Creston

Bill Chapman, 85, of Creston, passed away peacefully Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at Creston Specialty Care.

Bill Chapman, 85, of Creston, passed away peacefully Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at Creston Specialty Care. (Contributed )

Bill Chapman, 85, of Creston, passed away peacefully Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at Creston Specialty Care. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center in Creston. Rev. Mary O’Riley will officiate. Visitation is open to the public 3-7 p.m. with family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28. Bill will be laid to rest along with his wife Betty, in Graceland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the William Chapman Memorial Fund, to be determined at a future date. Condolences can be shared online at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

William Junior Chapman was born Jan. 9, 1938, the son of William and Pauline (Lane) Chapman near Prescott in Admas County. William was raised and educated in Adams and Union counties, graduating from Cromwell High School with the class of 1955. On Aug. 8, 1959, Bill enlisted in the Army National Guard and was honorably discharged June 30, 1965.

On Nov. 6, 1960, Bill was united in marriage to his long-time sweetheart, Betty Blazek, in Creston. The couple were blessed with the birth of three sons: Rick, Rod and Dan. Bill farmed with his father in Adams County on the family farm until it was sold in the early 1990s. Over the years, Bill’s interest in agriculture led him to being a livestock buyer and crop production was more part time. Bill always enjoyed going to the area sale barns to purchase livestock and socialize. He raised his own cattle and hogs for many years.

Bill’s interest in stock car racing took him to many different dirt tracks all across the Midwest. The most popular race track Bill attended was Adams County Speedway, where he was inducted to the Hall Of Fame. Another form of racing Bill loved was horse racing, with many trips to Ak-Sar-Ben. In their later years, Bill and Betty loved going to the casino and if they were not at home, they were probably there.

Preceding Bill in death was his wife, Betty in January 2020; his parents, William and Pauline Chapman; sister, Mary Nichols and brother-in-law, Stan Nichols.

Bill is survived by his three sons: Rick Chapman of Creston; Rod Chapman (Diane Kitzman) of Kearney, Nebraska, and Dan (Marie) Chapman of Creston; four grandchildren: Devon (Josh) Cross, Alex Chapman, Mikel (Tina) Curtis and Mark Curtis; six great-grandchildren: Olivia and Willow Cross; Taya, Cade, Izabelle and Avalyn Curtis.