Billy Chapman

Published 10:56 am Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Billy Chapman, 83, of Farmville, passed away Friday, March 25, 2016 at a Lynchburg Hospital. Mr. Chapman, born in Richmond, lived in the Farmville area most of his life. A skilled diesel mechanic, Mr. Chapman worked at Mack Truck and Cummins Diesel in Richmond early in his career before operating his own business in Farmville repairing large equipment and trucks. More recently, he established Chapman Used Parts and Towing with his son. He also served his country in the Army National Guard as a Weapon’s Platoon Sergeant with the rank of Master Sergeant, was a long time competitive coon hunter earning multiple awards, and a long time member of the NRA and the Farmville Moose Club.

Mr. Chapman was also a skilled artist who rendered some commercial work on occasion and he often sketched his trademark “CAT” for friends. Though a quiet reflective man, he was witty and often joked to break the conversational ice. He enjoyed driving as a competitive auto racer in regional races early in life and occasionally liked to bend his arm after business hours.

Surviving are his three children, daughter, Sharon Jones of Alexandria; sons Billy Chapman Jr. of Farmville, and Rob Chapman and wife, Lisa of Dillwyn; two sisters, Lois Plyler and Violet Shank, both of Chesapeake; and grandchildren, Adam Jones of Farmville, and Brianna Chapman of Dillwyn. Mr. Chapman was preceded in death by beloved wife of 63 years, Janie Baldwin Chapman, his parents, Robert Chapman and Annie Fernow Chapman, and brothers, Robert, Gene, Thomas and Buddy Chapman.

A funeral service will be held at Maranatha Baptist Church in Farmville on Wednesday, March 30 at 11 a.m. with interment to follow at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Rice.

Family will receive friends at Puckett Funeral Home in Farmville on Tuesday, March 29 from 6-8 p.m.

Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, is serving the family. www.puckettfh.com