William "Bill" Chapman

William Randolph “Bill” Chapman, 79, of Thornton passed away on November 25, 2022 at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, CO.

Born on April 30, 1943 in Denver, CO, he was the son of Leroy Lewis and Rachel Louise (Lewis) Chapman. Bill married Kathy (Krave) on February 19, 1972 and together they shared 50 years of marriage.

Bill worked at IBM for 35 years, including a leading role as project manager. Alongside his civilian duties, Bill served in the Navy for 30 years (4 active and 26 reserve). During his time both at IBM and in the Navy, Bill and his family found Maryland, California and Colorado as places to call home.

He enjoyed an astonishing amount of life activities. With sailing, motorcycle riding, skiing, car clubs, and running races as means of transportation and adventure. Musically gifted, Bill found a musical knack in playing the trumpet, guitar and mandolin, as well as through his own voice - by singing in multiple bands (alongside his brother), as well as in numerous choirs. He also loved to share music, including listening to his favorite albums, going to live shows, and exploring the YouTube “vortex” of music videos and concerts with anyone ready to join him. Forever thirsty for worldly knowledge, Bill also had an avid appreciation of travel, history, politics, religious studies and cheerful pet stories which he shared with everyone and, occasionally, used to inspire healthy debate.

He will be remembered for being a great father to his children, a loving husband to his wife and a no-nonsense brother to his siblings. He will also be remembered for his annual Christmas letters, which were effective in providing an accurate reflection of each year, through the good times and the bad. Bill’s genuine love had a ripple effect reaching everyone connected to him, providing a warm glow of light which we can all carry with us forever.

In addition to his wife, Kathy, he is survived by his four sons: Randy, Jim, John and Michael, as well as his three grandchildren: Christopher, Matthew and Julia. He is also survived by his brother Tom. In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by his sister Linda.

A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 11:00am with a Rosary at 10:30am at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, 900 W. Midway Blvd. Broomfield, CO 80020. Burial will follow at 2:15pm at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd. Denver, CO 80235. For those who will be joining the family at the cemetery, please be prepared to depart from Nativity of Our Lord by 1:20pm. We will not be traveling in an escorted procession, please follow all traffic laws.