William F. "Bill" Chapman, Jr.

William F. "Bill" Chapman, Jr., 56, of Mound Valley, died at 8:50 a.m., Wednesday, January 18, 2012, at Labette Health in Parsons. He had been in his usual health and death was not expected. He was born August 1, 1955, in Parsons, Kansas, to William F. "Bill" and Mary Lou (Berends) Chapman. He grew up in Southeast Kansas and was a 1973 graduate of Labette County High School in Altamont. He then joined the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in Bangor, Washington until his honorable discharge in 1977. After his discharge, he returned to the family farm in rural Mound Valley where he and his father farmed and raised cattle. He then continued his education at Labette Community College where he earned two Associate degrees. Following 33 ½ years of dedicated service, he had recently retired from the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center. He was a lifetime member of the United States Marine Corps League and the North American Limousin Foundation. He was also a member of the VFW Men's Auxiliary and Labette County Fair Board where he had served as beef superintendent for numerous years. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, his chosen profession of farming, and was an avid KU fan. He was honored to be called "Papa Bull" by his grandchildren. He and Janice C. Headley were married July 9, 1976, in Wichita. She survives of the home. Additional survivors include: One Son – Frank Chapman and wife, Kelly Parsons, KS One Daughter – Jessica Chapman Parsons, KS Three Grandchildren – Carollyn, Andrea and William Chapman Mother – Mary Lou Chapman rural Parsons, KS Two Brothers – Carl Chapman rural Mound Valley, KS Allen Chapman rural Parsons, KS One Sister – Donna Goins and husband, Deland Altamont, KS Numerous Nieces and Nephews He was preceded in death by his father, William F. Chapman, on January 4, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Mound Valley Cemetery with military honors given by the United States Marine Corps League and Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m., Monday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Memorials are suggested to the Labette County Fair Board Scholarship Fund or the Ronald McDonald House. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William F. "Bill" Chapman, Jr., please visit our flower store.