William "Bill" Chaplin Eason

William Chaplin Eason, Bill, 76, passed away in is home, November 22, 2013. Bill was widely known as Chief and Barnacle Bill and for his love of family, love of country, his wit, charming personality and liking for a good ole fashioned chili or pinto bean cook off. Both of which he received 1st place trophies and passed on family recipes.

Bill proudly served in the United States Coast Guard for 20 years where he achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer and served on board five Coast Guard cutters for a total of 8 years of sea duty. This further enabled his innate ability to pass on the tradition of singing the many a salty sailor tunes that he sang to his children and grandchildren for years to come. Until his illness made it impossible, Bill never missed a Coast Guard Day celebration or raising the American flag on the pole in the front yard. Following his years in the Coast Guard, Bill worked for the City of Brownsville and Public Utilities Board, jointly as the Director of Safety and Risk Management where he was honored with the Safety Officer of the Year Award for the State of Texas.

Bill married his Love, Dora in 1966 and would often proclaim after each home cooked meal that it was the best meal hes ever had. They had two daughters, Jessie married to Larry Smedley and Angela married to Doug Hurst. Bill taught them how to go crabbing, camping, fishing, taught them the difference between a Phillips and a flathead screw driver and what a monkey wrench was, and how to drive a 5 speed. He also taught them the value of being thankful and giving to others.

Bill took great pride in his grandchildren, Andrew and Ben and twins, Nicole and Alexandra. He could be seen playing ball on the lawn with the boys, or having a tea party on the porch with the girls. He was quite proud to have a son, David who lived in NC with his family only regretting the distance of miles and time.

Bill loved the South and being Southern and would commonly respond to how are you today with Oh, fair to middlin and if surprised by something, you could hear a well, Ill be in a drawl. He never knew a stranger and his natural reflex driving through town would be to wave at every passerby. As a point of pride, Bill enjoyed cooking and entertaining but most importantly reveled in the joining of his friends and family, particularly around Sunday football.

The family will be greeting friends starting at 1:00 p.m. prior to the Celebration of Life service which will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 25, 2013, at Central Christian Church on Alton Gloor Boulevard.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Bils name to Sunshine Haven Hospice Care, 7105 West Lakeside, Olmito, Texas 78575.

Bill had a wonderful giving heart and would give of himself and his needs for the sake of others and on early Sunday mornings would visit senior care facilities to keep them company. He taught his children this same giving nature during his life. The family would also like to thank his long time caretaker Sandra who took loving care of him.

Visitation

Cental Christian Church
111/100 E. Alton Gloor Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78526
Monday, November 25, 2013
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Service

Memorial Service

Central Christian Church
1100 E. Alton Gloor
Brownsville, TX  78526
Monday, November 25, 2013
2:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Val Verde Memorial Gardens Crematory
Donna, TX  78537

Memorial Contributions

7105 West Lakeside Blvd.
Olmito, TX  78575