Billy Bryan Chancellor

Funeral for Billy Bryan Chancellor, Sr., age 87, of Decatur, will be Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Shelton Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Cheshier officiating. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, 1/29/2025 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Interment will be at Roselawn Cemetery. Mr. Chancellor, who died Saturday morning, January 25, 2025, at Riverside Senior Living, was born on September 10, 1937, in Bastrop, LA to Mamie Louise Tisdale and Bethel Jackson Chancellor. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Bonnie Marie Chancellor, his parents, and his brother, Harry Chancellor. Billy began his career as a papermaker in Bastrop, LA working in the yard crew at International Paper Company in 1956. Throughout the years and many moves to multiple southern states, he was promoted to crew leader, foreman, and finally assistant maintenance superintendent at Champion International Corporation in Courtland, AL, where he retired in 1999. He was known by his co-workers at Champion as “BC” where practically everyone had a nickname. Billy also loved music with a passion and began tickling the ivories at a very young age. He had such a profound God-given talent and played piano and other instruments by ear. He played and sang with many groups throughout his musical career, including The Four Chaps, The Bachelors IV, Sandana, The Sophisticated Swingers, and Replay, just to name a few. Billy also enjoyed woodworking in his spare time after retirement. He loved his family dearly and was always there for them. He was loved by all who knew him and was always upbeat with a smile on his face. He was a member of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church in Decatur. Billy “fought the good fight” against chronic kidney disease, which ultimately took his life. Billy is survived by his wife, Sheryll Kerniece Reynolds, children, Cindy Chancellor, Dana (Tom) Williams, Sandy (Darren) Jones, Billy (Judy) Chancellor, Jr.; bonus children, Jeff (Mala) Reynolds, Lisa (Tucker) Smith, and Chip (Julie), 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Jackie Chancellor of Clearwater, FL. Pallbearers will include Grant Miller, Stuart Clark, Robert Williams, John Hester, Christopher Story, Chris Chancellor, and Jeff Reynolds. The family would like to recognize and give special thanks to Hospice of the Valley and Riverside Senior Living for their outstanding care of Mr. Chancellor during his extended illness.

Billy Bryan Chancellor

September 10, 1937 - January 25, 2025