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Author: catackett
Surnames: CHAPIN
Classification: obituary
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.chapin/1008/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
Beloved husband, father, friend, William S. Chapin Jr., 86, passed away peacefully in his
sleep, April 17, 2008, in Austin,TX after a long and valiant battle with Parkinson's
disease. Formerly of Spring Lake, Michigan, Bill was an Austin TX resident since 2004 when
he and his wife, Jane, left Michigan for the warmer climate of Austin and proximity to
their son, James Chapin MD. Born in Ann Arbor, May 2, 1921, son of Dr. William S. Chapin
and Ethel Maud (Hardy) Chapin, he graduated from the University of Michigan Engineering
School in 1944 where he was a member of the honorary engineering society Tau Beta Pi. In
1943, he wed his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Jane Margaret Carlson. Upon
graduation from University of Michigan, he was recruited by the Tennessee Eastman
Corporation, moving them to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where Mr. Chapin worked on the Manhattan
Project for the duration of World War II. Bill was the Director of Engineering at Dresser
Industries in Mus!
kegon, Michigan until his retirement in 1985. Mr. Chapin was active in the Crane
Manufacturers Association of America, Kiwanis Club, Spring Lake Improvement Association,
Spring Lake Yacht Club, Spring Lake Country Club, and was a member of the First
Congregational Church. Bill derived great pleasure and satisfaction in building and
maintaining his home of 46 years on Spring Lake. Of special joy was the annual preparation
for summer family reunions. He also enjoyed boating, photography, and travel. His family
treasured and will greatly miss his wit, wonderful sense of humor, and most importantly
his love and commitment to family, friends, and community. In addition to his wife, Jane,
he is survived by two sons, William Chapin, III and his wife Toko of Edwards, CO, James
Chapin, MD and his wife Pat of Austin; and two daughters, Sally Chapin Langham of New York
and Palm Beach, FL, and Ann Chapin Fischer and her husband Vadim of Ridgefield, CT. He is
also survived by six adored!
and adoring grandchildren, Trevor and Miles Chapin, Matthew and Laure
n Chapin, and Anastasia and Hannah Fischer; as well as three sisters and a brother, Ruth
Cleveland, Phyllis Jennings, Rita Cox, and Robert Chapin; and twenty-one nieces and
nephews. The Chapin family is deeply grateful to the Healthcare staff at the Summit at
Westlake for their tender care over the past two years. Memorial donations may be made to
the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Church Street Station, P.O.
Box 780, New York, NY 10008,
www.michaeljfox.org, or to the charity of your choice. A
family memorial service will be held at Remembrance Gardens in Austin, TX on May 19.
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