Willard Frank Sheldon Jr.
April 16, 1945 ~ February 4, 2025
Willard Frank Sheldon Jr. passed away peacefully on February 4, 2025, at the age of 79 years.
Willard, "Chip", was born on April 16, 1945, in Wilmington, Delaware, to Willard F. Sheldon Sr. and Francis Bacon Fischer. He served in the United States Air Force where he worked as a C-130 Pilot and Flight Instructor. While serving in the USAF, he travelled and lived all over the world with his family, experiencing and sharing many wonderful things. He retired from the Air Force after 20 years. Willard lived in Kennesaw, GA, for the past 34 years where he worked at Lockheed Martin as an Instructor Pilot before retiring. Since then, he served on the HOA Board for his subdivision as treasurer.
He is predeceased by his father Willard F. Sheldon Sr. and mother Francis Bacon Fischer. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Jean H. Sheldon and lovingly remembered by his son, Chris Sheldon, granddaughters Tiffani Sheldon and Kylee Sheldon, and great-granddaughter Kendall Wilgus.
Willard will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
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Chip was my brother-in-law but was closer like a brother. I will miss playing Hearts and Acey Ducey with him. Chip was fun to be around, we would joke and make snide comments to each other in a fun way. I will miss his smile. I know he is in a better place right now and in no more pain. He is with all the loved ones that have gone before him and I will see him again one day. I love you Chip.
Will miss you very much.
Chip will definitely be missed by all. He was always really good to me. I have lots of memories over the 17 years I was around. I will miss his calls, especially where he had to always tell me “Hey Mandy, it’s Chip”.
“Chip” came into our family life many years ago. He began dating my sister, Jean, while she was still in Nursing School and Chip worked as an orderly in the hospital while attending Lamar University so I can honestly say that I have known him longer than I have known my husband of 55 years.
Chip and Jean both joined the Air Force a few months before they married. This gave them the opportunity to travel and see parts of the world both good and bad. They had one wonderful son, Chris and now have a combination of 3 grand and great granddaughters. They can be very proud of their Grandfather.
Chip will be missed by both Robert and me. A lot of the last number of years has been spent just communicating on the phone but that is what time and distance does. The family is strong and will continue to accept the changes that occur in our lives. Jean will miss him greatly but will have her wonderful memories.
Chip, Rest in Peace.
Well Uncle Chip, we didn’t spend a lot of time together but I do remember our amazing trip to visit while y’all lived in Alaska…. It was quite the adventure…. Bear mooses and endless cold!!!! I hope the next life is paradise for you and hopefully we will meet on the other side one day.
Uncle Chip was a very cool uncle. He flew planes, hunted, lived in Alaska, and loved his family. I remember his laugh more than anything, a jovial and hearty one at reunions and vacations. He will be missed, especially the phone calls to check in on me and my family over the years. God bless him and his family during their time of grief.
I think this day came too soon. I think of Chip with fond memories. When Chip and Jean met I was so excited to have a brother. But when they got married it was comically all emotional! I think because they moved to Del Rio I always went and spent appt of time there during the summer. Chip would take us to the Comissary shopping and looking at planes. We even went to see The White Angels. Chip was his happiest when he was flying. Then when he was in Vietnam we could write him letters and it was fun because he always took the time to write back. He would bring us back little trinkets. I always wished I could go see them in all the places they lived.
It was really cool when they got married because Jean was a nurse and he was a pilot. That was so romantic.❤️
Chris was born and they were so happy. Chip was so proud that he even when little that he liked and excelled in Martial arts especially in Japan.
Chip was very worldly and quite intelligent.
Whe will always think of Chip fondlly. I will always miss calling him. He always made time for a phone call.
Chip May you rest in peace. You were a kind soul. Love you, Jane
I will always have fond memories of Uncle Chip. He loved flying and he loved hunting. Most of all he loved his family. Even though we didn’t see each other often, he often called to check up on me and my kids through the years. He will be missed. Prayers and comfort to Aunt Jean, Chris, Tiffany, Kylie, and Kendall and all of those that loved him.
Chip was always such a kind person. He was great at remembering all the crazy stuff I would get myself into, and make it a point to call and check in. We wouldn’t talk often but I always enjoyed our calls as they would meander from how family was, to how the kayaking and safari had went that year, to politics, to really any conceivable subject.
I remember making a mad dash from Texas to North Carolina and back in 2 days to pick up my very first race worthy kayak. Aunt Jean and Uncle Chip gave me a place to crash, I don’t know what crazy hour when ended up rolling in, but Chip made us feel welcomed, and so in a way I have him to thank for my decade long obsession of paddling across texas every summer.
Again, I got back to what a kind and thoughtful person Chip was and how he was always easy to laugh and joke with, but could could carry a conversation on any topic. The world doesn’t turn out many men like him, and we lost one of the best with his passing.
Great visit in Alaska!
Chip was such an awesome uncle. Ill never forget the visit to alaska. A memory ill cherish forever.