Wilmont (Wil) Hollis Chandler

Wilmont Hollis Chandler (Wil), passed away April 21 in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by family and friends, after a heroic battle with cancer. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and pillar of the Athens community, he will be sorely missed by all.

Wil was born in Plymouth, Wisconsin, a small town outside of Sheboygan, to Hollis Chandler and Doris Barber Chandler. The youngest of three siblings (Allen and Beverly), Wil traveled near and far to find his home. He found it in Athens, Ohio.

After serving in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Eritrea (Africa), Wil worked his way through college, earning a degree in International Studies at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh and a master's in Political Science at Ohio University. During this time, Wil, his first wife, Patricia Scott, and their son, Josh, maintained a farm in Vinton County.

After teaching for a number of years at Ohio University, Wil opened a home repair and construction business. With his second wife, Christine Chandler Miles, a daughter, Lilian, was added to the family. At this time Wil made the transition to his career in real estate, purchasing Athens Realty, and eventually becoming a successful and respected business owner.

Nothing ever deterred Wil from the task at hand: helping others before himself. He was a member of many charitable organizations, most recently serving on the Board of Stuart's Opera House, actively contributing to Rotary and helping United Campus Ministry. All of these were and will continue to be near and dear to Wil and his family.

Wil is survived by his loving wife, Anne Roberts (who has made sure that most of his "bucket list" was crossed off during the time he was still well); his son Josh; daughter Lili and her husband Colin Glover; step-son Michael Westfall and his fiance Annie Mark; and granddaughter Evelyn Hollis Alfano.

A celebration of Wil's life will be held at Stuart's Opera House in Nelsonville, Ohio, on Saturday, May 21, at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Appalachian Community Hospice, 30 Herrold Ave., Athens, OH 45701.