CHAPMAN, Calder

Williams – Grand Canyon News, Williams, AZ Wednesday, June 12, 2013 Calder Chapman, 87, of Williams and Seligman, Ariz. died on June 5, 2013. He was born in San Antonio TX on January 24, 1926 to Jim and Eleanor Chapman. He was raised and educated in San Antonio. In 1944, at the age of 18, Calder entered the U.S. Army. After initial training he was assigned to the 319th Regiment of the 80th Infantry Division serving in Europe. Among his many decorations, Calder received a Bronze Star for valor and a Purple Heart for wounds received in combat. He was discharged from the Army in 1946 and used his GI benefits to attend St. Mary's University. He graduated in 1950 with a BA in sociology. Calder first worked as a federal parole officer but then found his niche in hospital administration. During his career, he held several important administrative positions with the Veterans Administration and with civilian hospitals. He was also the owner and operator of Silverspur Electronics for the last 30 years. Calder moved to Williams, Ariz. in 1979 and took an active role in civic affairs. He served for four years on the city council and was Williams' first popularly elected mayor. Calder truly loved Williams. Among his many accomplishments as Mayor, Calder along with other civic officials successfully secured a cease and desist order stopping the Santa Fe Railroad's plans to dismantle the tracks from Williams to the Grand Canyon. He was also instrumental in securing a combination of grants, tax incentives and private funding that lead to the creation of the Grand Canyon Railway. In 2009, Calder relocated to Seligman, Ariz. because the lower elevation improved some of his breathing problems. Calder was a long time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in both Williams and Seligman and was an active member of the Seligman Calvary Church. Memorial services will take place in Williams and Seligman but plans have yet to be finalized. A notice of services will be published later. Please address condolences to Wade Simon, P.O. Box 1434, Seligman, Ariz. 86337. Email: silverspur@tabletoptelephone.com.
Posted by Sharla on June 15, 2013

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