William Stuart “Bill” Chase

June 12, 1928 – September 19, 2024

William Stuart Chase of Rocky Mount, age 96, passed away at Red Oak Manor on September 19, 2024. He was born June 12, 1928 in Clifton Springs, NY to Henry and Alice. Besides his parents, Bill was pre-deceased by his only sibling Norm, and his brother’s wife Helen, both of upstate NY/Florida and (3) wives: Evelyn Schreiber of Webster, NY, Doris Timkin of AR, and Mildred Hodges of Glade Hill, VA. Bill is survived by (3) children, William A. Chase of Garland, TX, Wendy Ramsey of Denver, CO, Jennifer (Roger) Lund of Mills River, NC, and his longtime friend, Larry McCarty of Rocky Mount, who was like another son to him. (5) Step-Children and their families include: Jean (Mike) Wright (sons Brian & Brad) of Riner, VA, and Debra (Mike) Perdue (sons Jason & Matthew), Barbara (Tony) Mills (sons Travis & Kevin Board), Glenn (Beth) Hodges (daughter Megan Fox), and Richard (Lisa) Hodges (daughter Brittany Niece) of Rocky Mount. Grandchildren (5) living in the Denver and Asheville regions include: Keane, Bonnie, Zachary, Kaleigh and Colton. Great-grandchildren (5) include: Daphnie, Jaxon, Tallulah, Waylon and Fletcher.

Besides serving in the post-WWII Japanese occupation for the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps (after high school in Webster, NY), Bill attended college in Trinidad, CO and Dayton, OH, and was a budding gunsmith and auctioneer. But it was as a mechanical engineer with Burroughs Corp., and the continual innovations that he brought with him, that he excelled. Promotions included moves to L.A., Rochester, and Dallas, until he retired locally as General Manager with Standard Register in 1990. He was a member at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Of Bill’s many passions over his long life, he most enjoyed: lake boating/water skiing/fishing/canoeing with family/friends; deer hunting; acting in community theater; bowling; coaching Little League and serving in numerous leadership capacities; any kind of project in his workshop (and there was always something “in progress”) because he was a do-it-yourselfer/”tinkerer”; restoring and car club touring antique cars (circa 1930); growing/showing/judging prize dahlias and growing all flowers, in general; golfing with his numerous buddies; finishing the daily crossword puzzle; ballroom/country dancing on Saturday nights (with Millie, his favorite partner); and building/remodeling homes. Besides building his first home in the ’50’s, and remodeling many others throughout the years, Bill completely rebuilt his last home at age 80. Bill was certainly a rolling stone in every way, and even volunteered in many capacities: manning the front desk at City Hall; serving on the local zoning board for many years; picking up stray trash regularly on a county road; keeping up the flowers at work and supplying alter flowers for his church; taking flowers to the hospital/shut-ins; and serving as President at Willow Creek Country Club for many, many years. Bill took up golf in his early 20’s and, in retirement, played no less than 2 x’s per week, even into his mid-90’s. He won many local golf awards/championships, loved playing in tournaments/going on golf getaway weekends, made (7) holes-in-one over his lifetime, and was very proud of once winning the Virginia Super Seniors state golf championship. And while Bill was a wonderful father and friend to all (he especially loved golden retrievers), he was not fond of eating his vegetables.

Bill loved his adopted community and all the good folks of Franklin County, and certainly considered this his true home. He lived here for half of his long life…48+ years! In lieu of a funeral service or flowers, the family requests that all remember Bill in your own special way, and honor Dad by giving to a charity of your choice. Bill will be cremated, with his ashes buried next to his wife Evelyn’s, in upstate Webster, NY. Additionally, the family would like to give our express thanks to all who loved and embraced our “Yankee Dad” so well through the years, especially Larry and “the guys”, the Hodges Family, and Red Oak Manor. We are so grateful to Remedy and staff for your unique compassion…you’re the best! God Bless You All !!!

There will be no services at this time. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.