Charles William Chastain III, MD

Charles William Chastain III, M.D., entered into eternal rest on August 21, 2023, at Primrose Memory Care in Appleton, WI at the age of 92. Affectionately known as ‘Bill’, ‘Doc’, or his two personal favorites, ‘Dad’ and ‘Papa’, he was born on October 17, 1930, in Plattsburg, MO to Charles William II (Billy) and Faith (Payne) Chastain. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law LeRoy Henderson, his favorite aunt, Martha Parks, and his son, Edward. 

 

Bill graduated from Harvard University in 1952, continued his education at Columbia University College of Physicians, graduating in 1956, and served his country as a Captain in the Army. Although educated on the East Coast he wanted to serve small towns as his grandfather, also a physician, did. Bill was well known in his community as an exceptional and dedicated physician who practiced medicine with care and compassion. His family remembers the multitude of “house calls” that Bill made to provide care to his patients.  Bill was a family physician with Medical Arts Clinic from 1959 until 1977. In 1977, Bill and his family moved to Liberty, MO where he assumed the position of Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Kansas City and the Director of the Family Practice Residency Training Program in North Kansas City Memorial Hospital. Upon his return to the Farmington area in 1979, Bill founded Family Health Care of Southeast Missouri, in Park Hills, where he practiced until his first retirement. After listening to all the music he had collected over the years, and reading some of the books he heard so much about, he returned to practice medicine at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center, where he provided care until his final, retirement in 2015. Bill and his wife, Joanne, spent their retirement years in Appleton, WI while spending winters traveling to New Orleans, Orlando and Cancun making many friends along the way.

 

Bill was a lover of knowledge, and a leader in the medical community. Bill served as the President and Trustee of the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians; Delegate to the American Academy of Family Physicians and Missouri State Medical Association; President of the Mineral Area Medical Society; Chairman of the Commission on Medical Economics of the State Medical Society; and Trustee and Vice Chairman of St. Louis Blue Shield. 

 

Bill had many interests. He was involved in community plays, mentorship programs, and community betterment. Bill was a Catholic and held his faith deeply. Bill enjoyed camping, fly fishing, swimming, exploring the outdoors and cutting trails on the family farms, hosting large trail rides, and found mowing to be meditative. Bill loved animals, politics, jokes, good food, good wine, cold beer, and good company. He also enjoyed drafting building plans. Bill loved the thrill of playing bridge and was involved in many bridge groups through the years. 

 

Bill is survived by his loving wife Joanne, his dear sister Mary Faith Henderson of Galveston, TX, and his children, Charlie (Dorothy) Chastain of Farmington, MO, Jane (Jerry) Troutner of Houston, TX, John Chastain (fiancé Pam Hull) Appleton, WI, Katie (Rod) Rhodes of Farmington, MO, Carrie (Mark) Riedi of Green Bay, WI, Chelsea (Matt) Watkins of Farmington, MO, and “extra daughter” Katie (Pat) Williams of Imperial, MO. His grandchildren include Charles William Chastain V, Derrek Chastain, Colton Chastain, Matt (Maggie) Rhodes, Ashley Rhodes (fiancé Krishna), Alex Rhodes (fiancé Lauren), Parker Troutner, Sarah (Dustin) Perry, Curtis Chastain (fiancé Kate), Christopher (Abbie) Chastain, John (Kaitlynn) Northcutt, Faith Birdsong, Quinn Watkins and six great grandchildren, John, Henry and Kadin Northcutt, Ryleigh and Blakely Perry, and Henry Rhodes. A seventh great-grandchild is due in January. Bill is also survived his nieces, nephew, and Joanne’s children; Cheri (Mark) Smith, Spring Lake, NC,  Mark (Karen) Burt, Michael (Amber) Burt, and Bradley Burt and their families in WI.

 

Services are September 13, 2023 at 11:00am, at Faith Lutheran Church, 601 E Glendale Ave, Appleton, with Pastor Daniel Thews officiating. Visitation prior to the service will begin at 9:00am. Internment will be at Riverside Cemetery with full military honors.

 

Bill’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staffs at Primrose Memory Care and St. Croix Hospice all of whom provided such informed, compassionate care for Bill. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Faith Lutheran Internet/Radio Ministry, 601 East Glendale Ave, Appleton, WI 54911 or Alzheimer’s Association, https://act.alz.org>donate would be most appreciated.