Obituary: Chandler, William Gordon “Bill”

Age 92

Sun., Sept. 6, 2015

CHANDLER, William Gordon “Bill” (Age 92) Passed away May 16, 2015.

Born on August 31, 1922 in Wenatchee, Washington to Elbridge G. “Jim” Chandler and Reita Nutting Chandler.

Bill was a proud member of the “Greatest Generation” and served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a radio operator aboard LST 44 stationed in the South Pacific.

He was a finish carpenter by trade and lifetime member and retiree of the Carpenters Local 98 in Spokane, WA.

He enjoyed music, old cars and traveling.

He was a member of the Spokane Old Time Fiddlers and many happy tunes were played by Bill on his Plectrum Banjo.

KEEP PLAYING THAT BANJO UP ABOVE, BILL!

Bill built his house in the Spokane Valley where he lived until 2006, when he moved nearby to Orchard Crest Retirement Community.

Bill enjoyed his life at Orchard Crest and the many friends he made.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty, two infant sisters, and his special friend, companion, and travel partner for twenty-five years, Donna Hotchkiss.

Bill is survived by his children Nancy Carrier (Leonard) of Dalton Gardens, Idaho, Yvonne Chandler-Burgard of Encinita, California and Clifford Chandler of Elko, Nevada, his sister Evelyn Darlene Chandler-Jones (Pat) of Hoquiam, WA, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, his cousin Susan C. Silva (Ed Wood) of Spokane Valley, WA, special friends Ron and Sally Hotchkiss of Coeur d’Alene, ID and Darla Finney of Harrison, ID along with many other friends.

Bill will be interred at Pleasant View Pioneer Cemetery in Post Falls, ID.

At his request there will be no services.

Please visit Bill’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.

ENGLISH FUNERAL CHAPEL, Coeur d’Alene, ID.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.