Guilford Byron Chase, age 79, passed away Jan. 5, 2022, in hospice care in Defiance, Ohio. Byron was the eldest son of Guilford and Faye (Leslie) Chase, born Aug. 12, 1942. He had a carefree childhood enjoying playing outdoor games with his siblings and neighborhood kids, riding his bike and spent much time at the swimming pool in the summer and sledding on the Chase hill in the winter.
In high school he enjoyed playing football and participating in high school plays. He was a member of the Methodist Church and attended MYF. After graduating from Dunlap High School, he joined the Navy. While in service for three years, his ship was part of the Cuban blockade. It was quite a surprise to his family to identify his destroyer in a full-page Life Magazine spread of the ships creating the blockade.
Byron held a variety of jobs in his adult life including truck driver and quarry work.
He and his wife, June, had two children, Guilford Taylor and Audra Lynn, and lived in Michigan for many years. Taylor resides in Double Springs, Ala. and Audra resides in Ceresco, Mich.
Byron has one grandson and two great-granddaughters.
In addition, Byron is survived by siblings, Kay Oliver, Pleasant Hill; Richard Merlyn, Roseburg, Ore.; Louise Cox, Moorhead; Keith, Dunlap; Roger, Dunlap; Jon, Nickerson, Neb.; Doug, Lincoln, Neb.; Steve, Spencer; and Rachel Kroll, Dunlap; Sister, Mimi, passed away 16 years ago. He has 34 nieces and nephews.
Byron was preceded in death by wives, Betty Lou 2000, Irene 2009, and Bonnie 2020.
He lived several years in Defiance, Ohio where he loved riding his motorcycle, traveling, attending church and Bible studies; he loved the LORD.
A family memorial service will be held this summer.
