Fallen Hero: Retired Senior Master Sergeant Willard Earl Chatham

Jackson, MS

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Funeral Home

West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory

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Obituary

Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:

Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.

Another great Airman and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on October 22, 2025 and has moved on to his heavenly home.  Retired Senior Master Sergeant Willard Earl Chatham, age 81, who had served within the MSANG within the 172d Airlift Wing has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.  Chatham had worked fulltime with the 172d Airlft Wing Finance.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country.  A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Airman.  We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Another great Airman has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Airman for Life”.

Obituary, Visitation, and Service details:

June 17,1944 – October 22, 2025

Willard Earl Chatham, of Jackson Mississippi, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2025, at the age of 81. Willard was a genuine original, who had a love for life, a wicked sense of humor, and a generous heart.

He was born on June 17, 1944, in Canton, Mississippi, to Verna Mae Boone and Earl Clements Chatham. He soon moved with his mother and grandparents, Grover Cleveland Boone and Sally May Boone, to Jackson, Mississippi where he eventually attended Central High School and graduated in the Class of 1962. While in high school, he played clarinet in the Central High School Marching Band and was in the ROTC.

Willard proudly served his country in the Mississippi Air National Guard, 172d Airlift Wing, retiring after 40 years at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. During his many years of service, he received various medals and ribbons, the highest being the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with Six Devices. He finished his career serving during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. He also had a long and dedicated career with the Mississippi Department of Transportation retiring with many years of service.

Willard had many varied interests and hobbies over the years. He enjoyed memberships in many clubs and organizations such as the Wahabi Shriners, the Order of the Eastern Star, MS. Department of Archives and History, and the MS. Forestry Association to name a few. He also loved finding new recipes and cooking for family and friends. His love of spicy foods is legendary. His wife always believing that he must have a cast iron stomach. Every fall would find him following his favorite football team the Ole Miss Rebels and every spring his beloved Atlanta Braves. He was enormously proud of the 10 seasons he spent working for the Mississippi Braves and enjoyed supporting the team in numerous ways.

He shared 57 years of love, laughter, and companionship with his wife Maureen. They had many shared interests and passions and were always together side by side traveling, volunteering their time, taking part in many activities, clubs, and events. She was always his best audience as he loved to make jokes and tell funny stories, and she loved to laugh with him. He always wanted to make each day special for himself and those around him, he was larger than life and enjoyed each and every moment on this earth. He will be missed very much by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Maureen Webb Chatham; his daughter Christina Derrow (Doug).

His grandchildren, Christopher Burns (Olivia), Phillip Burns (Kassie), Timothy Derrow, and Zachary Derrow; his great grandchildren, Fallon Burns, and Keira Orr.

He is predeceased by his mother Verna Mae Boone Barlow, his father Earl Clements Chatham, his stepfather Reese Barlow, his maternal grandparents Grover Cleveland Boone and Sally May Boone, his parents in law Horace M. Webb and Sarah Massey Webb and maternal uncle Grover Boone.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center, Wellstar Community Hospice and to Reverend Harvey Webb for their care and support during this challenging time. We are also grateful to all of those who have shared their love and memories with us.