[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 58 (Friday, April 1, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING WILLIAM FRANK CHAPMAN, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 1, 2022

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of William Frank 
Chapman, Jr. of Salem, Virginia, who passed away on March 20, 2022, at 
the age of 88. Frank served in the Armed Forces and was a businessman 
and active community leader.
  Frank was born on January 25, 1934. He graduated from Andrew Lewis 
High School. He then attended Fork Union Military Academy and was 
recruited by North Carolina State University on scholarship to play 
football, which he did for two years before transferring to the 
University of Virginia to finish his education.
  He served in the United States Navy before returning to Salem. Upon 
his homecoming, he founded and served as president of Chapman-Taney-
Painter-Logan Insurance, Inc. and Bonding for many years. He later 
worked at Sherwood Memorial Park in operations. After his retirement, 
Frank dedicated much of his life to service to his community.
  He and his friend, Burks Logan, worked as co-chairmen of a capital 
campaign for the Salem Museum and were honored as ``Hometown Heroes'' 
in 2012 by the Roanoker Magazine. He was a life member of the Salem 
Museum and Historical Society and served as president of the board for 
five years.
  I had the pleasure of knowing Frank personally. He was a friend and 
fellow Republican. I recall when I ran for the Virginia House of 
Delegates for the first time, he vowed to support me. But one of his 
close friends, with whom he had endured many hard times, decided to run 
against me. Frank approached me, hat in hand, to apologetically ask 
that I release him from his commitment. I respected his candor and 
loyalty. He was a true southern gentleman.
  He faithfully served his community and party. He was a Trustee of the 
Virginia Agents Political Committee, a lifetime member of the Salem 
Rescue Squad, former state director of Salem Junior Chamber of 
Commerce, and former president of the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of 
Commerce. Frank also served on many committees at the First United 
Methodist Church in Salem, where he was a lifelong and third-generation 
member.
  Frank was also an avid outdoorsman. In 1981, then-Governor John 
Dalton appointed him to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland 
Fisheries Commission to represent the sixth district. He served as 
vice-chairman from 1984 to 85. Frank also served as vice-chairman of 
the Catawba District of Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the 
Salem Rotary Club and was recognized as a Paul Harris Rotary Fellow in 
2005. Throughout his life, he held many esteemed titles and leadership 
roles--all to serve, lead, and better his community.
  Frank was predeceased in death by two wives, Billie Lee Bates Chapman 
and Page Clark Chapman; his parents, William Frank Chapman, Sr. and 
Wilma Cross Chapman; and a sister, Lula Cross Harris Russell.
  He is survived by his wife, Julie Stagg Chapman; three children, Lee 
Ann Chapman Critz and her husband, Blake, Frank Bates Chapman, and 
Catherine Chapman Mosley; four grandchildren, Sara Catherine Critz 
Kronstain and husband, John, Benjamin Lee Critz and wife, Anna, Luke 
Bates Mosley, and Addison Grace Chapman; and five great-grandchildren, 
Emma, Thomas, Matthew, Mason and Olivia. He also leaves behind his 
beloved stepchildren and grandchildren. I would like to offer my 
condolences to the family on the loss of this great man, friend, and 
community leader.

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