Wilford T. Chatham

Wilford T. "Bill" Chatham went to be with his Lord on June 12, 2011. He was born July 21, 1919, in Springfield, Colorado, the son of Elmer H. and Sarah Lela Cook Chatham.

Bill served with Patton's 3rd Army during World War II and was a machinist at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in Topeka for 35 years. He was a member of South Knollwood Baptist Church, and a life member of both the American Legion and the United Rubber Workers Local 307. On October 15, 1949, in Topeka, Bill married Mildred Yarger. She survives.

Other survivors include son, Michael D. (Peggy) Chatham, Bloomington, IL; daughter, Sherry L. Chatham, Topeka, KS; grandson, Brent A. Chatham, Chicago, IL; granddaughter, Laura A. Chatham, Champaign, IL; and three sisters, Ruth Brown, Holton, KS, Maye Erwin, Satellite Beach, FL, and Neva (Delbert) Buchanan, Capon, OK. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Leslie, Clifford, and Harry; and three sisters, Faye Reiff, Lora Reiff, and Arlene Baumgart.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2011, at South Knollwood Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to South Knollwood Baptist Church, 1813 SW 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66611 or Midland Care Hospice Services, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.