Willard Chance's Obituary
Mr. Chance, 90, of Anacoco went peacefully to be with the Lord on Monday, May 19, 2008 at his home.
Mr. Chance was born June 19, 1917 in Plainview, Louisiana to Sidney and Manona Chance. He married the love of his life, Agnes Dowden, in November of 1940 and began working at the Alco Sawmill milling pilings for the war effort in the Pacific. Mr. Chance would tell family members about watching the planes from Ft. Polk fly overhead during WW II. After moving to Anacoco with his young family, Mr. Chance began working for Mr. Jack Russell at the R & S Grocery Store in New Llano. He worked loyally in the local grocery business until he was called to work for Ms. Betty Welch at the Ft. Polk Commissary in 1964 where he served as a foreman over the stockers. He could tell you exactly how much room was needed to stack #3 cans of goods and how many packs of diapers could be stacked in a particular area. When Agnes began to be sick with a heart condition in 1979, Willard retired to come home and take care of his beloved wife. Mr. Chance was well-known for his perfected appearance, dressing in starched white shirts and starched khakis or dress pants. He was a member of the First United Pentecostal Church of Anacoco for many years and a member of the First United Pentecostal Church of Leesville for the last fifteen years. Going to church, family and friends, playing guitar,, gardening, raising cows and pigs, and traveling were his most favorite things in life. Everyone called him “Pa” and loved his bright smile and pleasant personality. He lived as an outstanding Christian, and encouraged others to do so.
Mr. Chance was preceded in death by wife, Agnes Dowden Chance, sons, David Timothy and Kenneth Bruce, and parents, S.J. and Manona Chance.
Willard is survived by: one son, Bill and wife, Kim and one daughter, Anne and husband, David, all of Anacoco, Louisiana; four grandchildren Lisa Leon and husband Tony of Conroe, Texas, Angela Griffis and husband Scott of Georgetown, Texas, and Jamie and Chance Armbruster, both of Anacoco, Louisiana; seven great grandchildren, Brianna, Jenna, and Hayden Griffis of Georgetown, Texas and Katie, Kyle, Kiera, and Kaleb Leon of Conroe, Texas; Daughter-in-Law Betty Chance of Georgetown, Texas; one brother S.J. Chance and wife Melvis of Vidor Texas; and a host of nieces, nephews, and church family.
Pallbearers include: Tim Poirrier, Donald Chance Jr., Paul Chance, Chance Armbruster, Tony Leon, Steven Broderson, Cody Lewis, and Aaron Evans.
Services for Willard C. Chance will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, May 25th 2008 at the First United Pentecostal Church of Leesville. Visitation will be Friday, May 23, 2008 from 5:00-9:00 P.M. and Saturday, May 24, 2008 from 9:00 A.M to 9:00 P.M. at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville. Interment will be at Prewitt’s Chapel in Hornbeck, Louisiana
What’s your fondest memory of Willard?
What’s a lesson you learned from Willard?
Share a story where Willard's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Willard you’ll never forget.
How did Willard make you smile?