Submitted by: Dan Rich

 

Willie E. Chapman

Sept. 15, 1925 - Sept. 5, 1999

 

South Bend Tribune 9/10/1999

A visitation for Willie ''Uncle Buddy'' Chapman, 73, will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight in the Cobb Funeral Home, 3525 S. Michigan Street, South Bend, with the funeral ceremony being conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Christian Fellowship Assembly, 1723 S. Leer Street, with Pastor Ephraim Ike officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery.

 

Willie Chapman passed away peacefully in his home on S. Camden Street Sunday night, Sept. 5th, following an extended illness. He was born in Geneva, Ala., to Gerlena (Threats) and Will Chapman, Sr. Uncle Buddy was preceded in death by both parents and sisters, Ollie Mae Walker and Jewell Townsend. He moved to South Bend in 1950 and was employed for 40 years with Aluminum Tool & Die. He was a member of Teamsters Local 364 and Masonic Lodge #10, and attended the Christian Fellowship Assembly.

 

He is survived by daughters, Willie Mae Clark, Diane and Evelyn Chapman of South Bend; a son, John Chapman of South Bend; sisters, Arlena Ross of South Bend, Margaret (Emmitt) Stallworth of Detroit, Mich., Merlene Wright of River Rouge, Mich., Mattie Hosea of South Bend and Louise Sconiers of Duluth, Ga.; brothers, John, James and Robert Chapman of South Bend; 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; special friend, Ozeal Jones, and a friend Herene Love, along with a host of other family and friends.