Obituary: William Benjamin Chambley Jr.

William Benjamin Chambley Jr., age 71, of Kissimmee, Florida, and formerly of Oak Ridge, died Sunday, July 13, 2014.

He was born October 2, 1942, in Grenada, Mississippi, the son of William Benjamin Chambley and Sarah Long Chambley.
He was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church.

Mr. Chambley worked as a lifeguard in Oak Ridge from 1959-1965. He was a member of the Elks Lodge for 39 years and served as past exalted ruler of the Elks from 1983-1984. He was chairman of Local Chapter of Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). He was also a member of Pi Sigma Kappa at the University of Tennessee from 1960-1966.

He enjoyed scuba diving and teaching swimming lessons. He worked with Union Carbide and Martin Marietta Energy Systems in Oak Ridge at the K-25 plant prior to transferring to the Orlando Missile Systems as the plant electrical engineer. He retired in 2007.

He enjoyed going to bluegrass festivals, spoiling his granddaughters, and weekly dinners with Lucia and his close friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sister, Sarah Anne Grove, and brothers-in-law, Victor I. Dodson and Edwin Blakemore.

He is survived by his loving daughter, Renee Chambley Maples and husband Marc of Alpharetta, Georgia; his partner for the last 20 years, Lucia Norton Kelly, of Oak Ridge; sisters, Linda Chambley Dodson of Oak Ridge and Frances Chambley Blakemore of Kingsport; three precious granddaughters, Mallory, Eliza, and Caroline Maples; and nieces and nephews, Jim Dodson, Derrick Dodson, Bill Grove, Dr. David Anderson Grove, Chrysti Blakemore Bellamy, Kathryn Blakemore McLain, and Jennifer Blakemore Latson.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff of Covenant Hospice and Home Care for their care and compassion and to his sister, Linda Dodson, for her hospitality.

The family received friends on Thursday, July 17, 2014 from 5-7 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. An Elks service began at 7 p.m. led by members of the Elks Lodge #1684. The funeral service followed at 7:15 with Father Chris Hackett officiating.

Family and friends will meet at 10 a.m. on Friday at Oak Ridge Memorial Park for a graveside service. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Dodson, Derrick Dodson, Andy Grove, Bill Grove, Marc Maples, Willie McLain, and John Smith.

An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.