Billy J. "Chip" Chandler, 85, Russiaville, died at 4:50 a.m. Thursday, April 29, 2010, at St. Joseph Hospital. He was born in Russiaville, on Jan. 6, 1925, to Jennings B. and Elsie M. (Primmer) Chandler. On July 3, 1947, in Frankfort, he married L. Jackie (Harrison) and she survives.
   He graduated from Russiaville High School in 1943. He was an Army veteran of World War II, where he served from 1943 to 1945. Chip received one Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, a Victory Medal, a European Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Ribbon and Distinguished Unit.
   He retired from Chrysler Corp. in 1986 after 40 years, where he worked in the machine repair department. He was a member of UAW Local 685, a life member of VFW 8035 and former member of Russiaville American Legion Post 412. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, being outdoors and loved making fly ties.
   He is survived by his wife, Jackie Chandler, Russiaville; children, Susie Chandler, Lafayette, Janice Lynn Hulet, Russiaville, and Brian L (Roni) Chandler, Kokomo; grandchildren, Edmund Hulet, Sarah Hulet and Rachel Chandler; and several nieces and nephews.
   He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ralph and Bob Chandler; and two sisters, Mary Ellen Daly and Dorothy Uitts.
   Services are. 2 p.m. Sunday at Stout and Son Funeral Home, Russiaville Chapel 200 E. Main St., Russiaville, with Pastor Bill Martin officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Kokomo Military Rites Team and the U.S. Army. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
   Memorial contributions may be made to the Russiaville Ambulance Service or Russiaville Historical Society.

[courtesy of Byron R. Smith]

Grave marker fort Billy J. Chandler in Sunset Memory Garden, Kokomo (Howard county), Indiana.

Billy Joe registered for the draft in Kokomo, IN on 6 January 1943 and was inducted into the army at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana on 6 March 1943.

On 19 February 1945, Pfc Chandler was transferred from the 509th PIR to Hq 2nd, 508th PIR.

Classed as a non-battle casualty, Pfc Chandler was evacuated to a field hospital on 15 March 1945, He rejoined the company on 30 March.

On 6 May, he was again evacuated to a field hospital as a non-battle casualty.  He was able to return to duty on 21 May.

Pfc Chandler was relieved and attached to the 19th Reinforcement Depot for trans-shipment to the United States on 2 October 1945.

His military decorations include the Bronze Service Arrowhead device awarded for the Southern France Campaign and Airborne Operations