Eloy Bill Chavez

Eloy Bill Chavez, 81, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, passed away on December 26, 2024. He was born in Oklahoma City on February 21, 1943, to Jose and Claudia Chavez.

Bill was one of 13 children. He attended Franklin High School in Oklahoma City. His family moved to Colorado for three years and then to Texas. He was very proud that his family was very close. He was a very happy boy and was taught respect and how to work hard at age nine. He loved to hunt, fish with his hands, and hunt for coins with his cousin, Billy Ray.

Bill met Jackie Oliver in 1962, and they were married on July 12, 1963. They raised three children: Tony, Sherry and Cindy, and were blessed with 60 years of marriage. Bill always enjoyed the family gatherings on Easter and Christmas to celebrate Christ’s birth and resurrection. He was very proud when he became a Christian and when his children and grandchildren also were saved. He was a member of Temple Baptist Church and loved reading the Bible and spreading the “Good News” about Christ. 

Bill started his own construction company and was granted a job for a federal government housing project. He had a 16-months deadline but finished it in 10 months. He also worked for Habitat for Humanity (usually without pay) because he loved helping others. He retired from construction work in 2007.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Claudia Chavez; sisters: Alice Burns, Josie Marten, Francis Ogburn, and Gloria Padilla; and brothers, Jonny and Ernie Chavez.

Bill is survived by his wife, Jackie Chavez; children: son, Tony Chavez and wife, Lisa, Sherry Trace and husband, Clifford, and Cynthia King; grandchildren: Tyler King and wife, Jordan, Dillon King and wife, Beth, Samantha King, Chase Lowrey and wife, Hailey, Nick Lowrey and wife, Carley, and Tony, Sara, and Dustin Chavez; 14 great grandchildren; sisters: Rosie, Renee, and Cathy; brother, Manuel Chavez; many other relatives, and a host of friends.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 2, 2025, noon-7:00 p.m., at AE Funeral Services Chapel, 603 W. Independence St., Shawnee, Oklahoma, 74804.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025, 1:00 p.m., at Temple Baptist Church, 1234 E. Highland St., Shawnee, Oklahoma 74801. Interment will follow at Mars Hill Cemetery in Pink, Oklahoma 74852.