Mr. Ernest William “Bill” Chase, age 79, of Bear Branch, Indiana, entered this life on May 8, 1947 in Bear Branch, Indiana. He was the loving son of the late Chester Arthur and Annie (Voris) Chase. Bill was raised in Bear Branch, Indiana and was a 1965 graduate of Rising Sun High School. After high school, Bill was employed for the Ohio County Highway Department for a year. Bill was inducted into the United States Army on August 1, 1966 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He received the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Sharpshooter Rifle Badge. He rose to the rank of Technical Sergeant and was transferred to the Army Reserves on July 31, 1968 at Fort Hamilton, New York. Bill was honorably discharged on July 31, 1972. Bill was united in marriage on September 25, 1976 to Mary Margaret Smith in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Bill was formerly employed by Monsanto Chemical Company in Addyston, Ohio, where he began his career as an operator before later transferring to the maintenance department. Following the company’s transition to Bayer, he continued his dedicated service until his retirement after 49 years. He was a former member of the VFW Post #6234 in Milan, Indiana for 12 years and a member of the International Chemical Workers Union Council Local #0561C. Bill was a faithful member of Rising Sun Church of Christ, where he enjoyed serving others as a coffee helper on Sunday mornings. Bill enjoyed farming hay, tobacco, corn and beef cattle and attending tractor shows. Bill passed away at 4:26 a.m., Sunday, July 5, 2026, at Ripley Crossing in Milan, Indiana.
Bill is survived by his brother, Wesley Chase of San Mateo, FL; his sisters, Lula Cutter of Bear Branch, IN, and Margaret Ann Casey of Bear Branch, IN; his several nieces and nephews; his several great-nieces and great-nephews; his several great-great nieces and great-great-nephews; and his several great-great-great nieces and great-great-great nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Chester Arthur Chase, died December 6, 1975; his mother, Annie (Voris) Chase, died March 12, 1967; his brothers, Russell Arthur Chase, died September 19, 1951, Albert Samuel Chase, died January 23, 2003, Everett Louis Chase, Sr., died November 20, 2007, and John Edward Chase, died February 27, 2014.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Friday, July 10, 2026 at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 p.m., Friday, July 10, 2026 at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Interment and full military rites will be conducted by Vevay American Legion Post #185 and Vevay VFW Post #5396 in the Vevay Cemetery in Vevay, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rising Sun Church of Christ. Cards are available at the funeral home or online at www.haskellandmorrison.com