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William R.
Chapin Sr.

November 2, 1926 – November 13, 2018

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William Chapin
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Obituary for William R. Chapin Sr.

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William R. (Bill) Chapin, Sr., 92, of Wyomissing, PA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. Born in Forty Fort, PA, he was the son of the late Edward G. Chapin Sr. and Eleanor Jones Chapin. Bill just celebrated his 92th birthday on November 2nd.

His early education began in the Forty Fort public schools. Bill was a 1944 graduate of Wyoming Seminary in Forty Fort, where he filled several class offices and became the annual yearbook’s business manager, serving on its Business, Circulation and Photography Boards. He was a member of the Amphictyou literary society, known for its Annual Debate and Oratorical Contest. Bill was on the JV wrestling and JV football teams, and played baseball throughout his years there. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

While a student at Wharton, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 18. He was trained in electronics in the expanding technologies of radar, sonar and fire control at the Naval training station in Great Lakes, IL, and later at pre-radio school in Chicago. Due to his college status, Bill was selected to teach these technologies when later stationed in Treasure Island, CA. Following his service in the Navy, he returned to and was graduated from Wharton. His pursuits then took him to Columbus, OH, where he joined the Pure Oil Company and took graduate courses at the Ohio State University (OSU).

Following the passing of his father in 1952, Bill returned to his hometown of Kingston, PA, became actively engaged in family businesses, and in 1955 relocated to the Reading PA area to run Chapin Lumber and Supply Company, which had locations in Kingston, Scranton and Temple, PA. He served on the board of The Mid-Atlantic Lumberman’s Association as well as the Lumberman’s Merchandising Corporation (LMC), a Wayne PA materials-buying cooperative group owned by independent lumber and building material dealers. He also served as a General Partner in the family real estate holding companies, the Chapin Apartments, Chapin Realty and Chapin Investments.

In 1954, Bill was married to the former Anne Deeter of Dallas, PA. Together they raised four children, with whom they shared their mutual interests in classical and jazz music, social gatherings for friends, young and old, and summers at the Jersey shore. Anne passed in February, 1998. In 2000, Bill married Phyllis E. Jacobi of North Wales, PA.

He had a strong sense of community and served on the Muhlenberg Rotary Club and as a board member on the Reading Berks Chamber of Commerce, working on the legislative and membership committees. He was a member for many years of the Berkshire Country Club in Reading, PA and the YR Club in Wyomissing. Throughout his life, Bill loved music and was a patron of The Philadelphia Orchestra and The Reading Symphony Orchestra. Many knew him as a die-hard fan of OSU football.

Since his high school days, Bill was known for his fair play and friendliness, and until the time of his passing, he maintained his sharp mind and sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Anne; brothers, Edward and Kermit Chapin; sisters, Eleanor C. Budinger and Lois C. Johnson.

Bill is deeply missed by his surviving spouse, Phyllis; children William R. Chapin Jr. (Beth), Lisa C. Hoffberger (C. Peter), Dr. Scott D. Chapin (Pamela), Carolyn C. Braithwaite (Hugh); step-children, Gary Walton (Diana Gionet), Susan Samson (Gregg), and Scott Walton (Janet); his 12 grandchildren and seven step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Bill’s family - immediate and extended - was always foremost in his mind and in his heart. He especially cherished time spent with his children and grandchildren.

A Celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Friday, November 23 at 12 noon at the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA, with visitation from 10:30am to 12:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Macular Degeneration Research at Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute Development Office, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Wilmer 112, Baltimore, MD 21287-9015 or The Reading Symphony Orchestra,100 N. 5th Street, Reading, PA 19601-3497.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.

First Visitation

When November 23, 2018 10:30am - 12:00pm
Location
Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc.
Address
739 Penn Avenue
West Reading, PA 19611
Additional Information

Service Information

When
November 23, 2018 12:00pm
Location
Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc.
Address
739 Penn Avenue
West Reading, PA 19611
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