Billy Chambers
[May
31, 2013]
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Billy N. Chambers,
89, of Kissimmee, Fla., formerly of Lincoln, Ill., died Wednesday,
May 29, 2013, at his home.
(Below is a copy of
the obituary from the funeral home.)
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Billy N. Chambers, 89, of Kissimmee, Florida,
formerly of Lincoln, Illinois, died May 29, 2013 at
home. He was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on June
26, 1923, and grew up in Chattanooga and in
Washington, D.C. He joined the U.S. Army in 1941 and
became a cadet in the fledgling Army Air Corps.
After earning his wings at age 21, he flew a variety
of military aircraft during WW II including B25s and
B17s while stationed at Foggia, Italy. He was a
Captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve until 1983.
Active as a pilot until 2002, he was a longtime
member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and
was a 53-year member of the Aircraft Owners and
Pilots Association.
In 1953, Mr. Chambers entered Lincoln Bible
Institute and Seminary (now Lincoln Christian
University) to train for the ministry, earning a
B.A. in 1958 and M.A. in Church History in 1963. He
served the Eminence Christian Church in Atlanta,
Illinois as preaching minister from 1953 to 1966. He
also established and directed the missionary
aviation program at Lincoln Bible Institute from
1958 to 1963. In 1966 he was employed as a
rehabilitation counselor with the Illinois Dept. of
Mental Health, working at the Lincoln State School.
After that institution closed in 1975 he was
employed by the Logan Correctional Center, first as
the manager of the Center's Prison Industries, then
as a Corrections Officer until his retirement as a
Lieutenant in 1986.
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In 1987 he and his wife, Roberta, moved to
Kissimmee, FL, where she taught music at Florida
Christian College and he volunteered on the college
maintenance staff. As they had in Illinois, the two
often conducted worship services at area nursing
homes. Among other interests Mr. Chambers was widely
known as a woodworker specializing in making
furniture, children's toys, restoring antique
furniture, and hand caning. He belonged to the
Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine Club and the
Model T Ford Club of America. He was member of First
Christian Church, Kissimmee, FL.
Mr. Chambers was preceded in death by his first
wife, Roberta (Mulliken) Chambers, a sister, Shirley
Ritchey, and a brother, Roy Chambers. He is survived
by his second wife, Jane Holsclaw Chambers, a son,
Dr. Michael Chambers (Pamela) of St. Louis, MO, a
daughter, Linda Storm (Randal) of Concord, MI, five
grandchildren, Christopher (Nicki) Chambers, Cara
(Jason) LeCureux, Rachel (Jeff) Stalnaker, David
Storm, and Emily (Christopher) Elam. Also surviving
are eight great-grandchildren, Nadine Chambers, Ian
Chambers, Sophia Stalnaker, Eden Stalnaker, Wilder
Stalnaker, Abigail LeCureux, Zoe LeCureux, and Felix
Elam, a sister, Charlotte Roth of Columbus, GA, and
a brother, Richard Chambers of Huntsville, AL.
Services will be conducted at
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln, IL
on Thursday, June 6 with visitation beginning at
4:00 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 7:00
p.m. Dr. Wayne Shaw will be officiating. Burial will
be at the Arcola (IL) Township Cemetery, on Friday,
June 7. Memorial donations may be made to Florida
Christian College, 1011 Bill Beck Blvd., Kissimmee,
FL, 34741, or to Hospice of the Comforter, 480 W.
Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs, FL, 32714.
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