Deacon William Earl Chatman

CHATMAN, Dea. William Earl - Age 69, passed away Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10:00 AM Monday, July 8, 2024, at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, 930 E. Myrtle Avenue, with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM, Pastor Stephan Murphy, officiating. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 10:00 AM Monday. Deacon Chatman will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM Sunday, July 7, 2024, with family present to receive friends from 1:30 PM-3:30 PM. William Earl Chatman was born June 26, 1954, in Ozark, Alabama, to parents, John and Annie Chatman. The family relocated to Flint, Michigan in the 1960’s where William attended Flint Community Schools and graduated from Flint Central High School in 1973. He participated in basketball and track, winning many awards and trophies. In 1974, William married the love of his life, Brenda Nichols. William accepted Christ at an early age and was later baptized at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle by the late Dr. Arthur J. Pointer. William was a dedicated and faithful member of Metropolitan, where he served as Chairman of the Deacon Board, member of the Trustee Board, Finance Board, Male Chorus, Sunday School, Bible Study and Teacher’s Council. William loved to serve and could be found participating in many auxiliaries within the church. He was attentive to the needs of the pastor, the church and its members. William was employed at Delphi/General Motors as a Skilled Trades Model Maker and retired in 2006 after 33 years of dedicated service. His hobbies included listening to “oldies but goodies”, riding his motorcycle, and attending events for his grandchildren. He took great pride in maintaining his yard and would often be heard singing loudly while mowing. He enjoyed vacationing and traveling with his family, especially with his grandchildren. William leaves to cherish his memory: wife of 49 years, Brenda Chatman of Flint, MI; two children, Earl (Trina) Chatman of Wimauma, FL, Deondra (Gabriel) Burton of Belleville, MI; great-nephew, who William raised, Michael (Shakisha) Ogburn of Flint, MI; four grandchildren, Will and Jaleel Chatman of Wimauma, FL and Gabriel Jr. and Brielle Burton of Belleville, MI; brother, Lazarick (Erica) Chatman of Columbus, OH; two sisters, Tamekyo Garner of Grand Rapids, MI and Rhonda Chatman; sister-in-law, Patricia (Wiley) Stocker all of Flint, MI; many beloved uncles and aunts; nieces and nephews, including Tamara (Anton), Monique, GaQuilla (Ralph), Latrice, Karintha, Laquieta, Lataesha (Howard), Takeysha, Tevin, Caleb, John and Elijah and a host of other relatives and friends, too numerous to name. William was preceded in death by his parents, John and Annie Chatman; loving in-laws; grandson, Joshua Burton and nephew, Trayvon Chatman.

Deacon William Earl Chatman

June 26, 1954 - June 25, 2024