Wilfrid Richard Chandler

Obituary For Wilfrid Richard Chandler

Wilfrid Richard Chandler passed away December 17, 2024, at the age of 76. He was born to Richard and Donna Chandler in Knoxville, Tennessee, and later moved to Memphis, where he lived until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1969. While in the Navy, he served aboard the USS Oriskany with VA-215, nicknamed the Barn Owls, as an Aviation Electrician’s Mate. He always had a knack for taking things apart to see how they worked, and he was able to use these skills while working on plane cockpit panels. He enjoyed the work, and in later years particularly enjoyed retelling the story of how he dealt with a worried pilot who kept complaining about a blinking light on his panel: Wilfrid unscrewed the lightbulb. His awards from his time in service include the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After his time in the military, Wilfrid worked several jobs, the most impressive of which was opening his own brewery. In 1982 and 1989, Wilfrid became a proud father to his sons Elliotte and Wesley. Though they didn’t share his affinity for the inner workings of bikes and automobiles, they were nevertheless grateful for the opportunity to ride in style because of his handiwork.

In 1996, he and his family moved to North Carolina, where he spent much of the remainder of his life, except for a few years that he spent living with his generous and caring older sister Susan in Oklahoma. He was a busy man, always ready with a project or adventure, though he was also able to sit still and enjoy silence when he stopped to go fishing. Much of his work over the years involved food and drink, working at breweries, restaurants, and bars, and running several cafeterias, including at Elliotte’s school during his 8th grade year (“the best food we ever had there”). He had a passion for cooking good food, which lives on in his sons today, much to the appreciation of his daughters-in-law.

In his later years, Wilfrid was grateful for the companionship of his beloved dog Copper, who will now be looked after by Jak’s Second Chance Rescue Ranch in Cabot, Arkansas.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, sister Donna, and step-brother Steve. He is survived by his sister Susan, his sons Elliotte Chandler and wife Kristy, Wesley Chandler and wife Wynne, and his grandchildren Jackson, Sebastian, Mary Todd, Miles, and Zélie. His grandchildren will miss him and his wonderful ability to give the best random fun gifts, including a yodeling pickle.

The funeral will be held on Monday, December 23, at 3:00pm, in the All Saints Chapel of Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh, NC. A burial service with military honors will take place on Thursday, December 26, at 12:30pm, at the Salisbury National Cemetery in Salisbury, NC, where he will be laid to rest. May he rest in peace.