Wesley Chapman Obituary

Wesley Fay "Buster" Chapman Jr, 74, of Crowville, passed peacefully at his home on November 11, 2024. His celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Life Church in Winnsboro. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of service. Born on March 5, 1950, to the union of Wesley Fay Chapman Sr. and Floy Lanier Chapman, he was the oldest of 5 children. Growing up, his family moved many places, requiring him to attend many different schools before finally settling in the Central Community. He was a proud 1968 graduate of Central School. He was a member of Boy Scouts of America.
He followed in the footsteps of his father, along with many other men, who would lead him to the pipeline. He was a very proud and active 57-year member of the Pipeliners Union 798 in Tulsa, OK. He served on the finance committee several years to be involved in making the union a better place to be. Pipelining gave him many opportunities to travel the world. He worked in Mexico, India, Saudi Arabia, Africa, and coast to coast in the USA. He was proud to tell you all about jobs he worked on and had stories for each one, but the Alaskan Pipeline was probably one of his favorites. Having spent several years in the late 70's in Alaska, he made many lifelong friends while in the land of the snow and ice. Lifelong friends and relationships that can never be broken.
In 1969, he married Deborah Stevens. Being the third to the oldest of eight girls, he gained many sisters who would begin to prepare him to be a "girl dad". He and Deborah had three girls together. He was never disappointed to not have boys. He and Deborah were members of the Winnsboro Jaycees.
In 1996, his new role as Pawpaw Buster began. The birth of each of his grandchildren brought more and more joy and excitement along with more girls and just one "stinking boy" as he called him. Very seldom would you hold a conversation with him that he didn't mention at least one, if not all of the "kiddos".
He taught us all how to love and love hard. He would make sure we were always at church and active in church. In the last several years, he showed his love through giving "Happy Rocks". He always had a pocket full and would give them to someone who either brighten his day with their smile or kind words or someone who needed to brighten their day and know that someone thought about them. Showing kindness and giving encouragement was for sure his best language of love.
Buster is proceded in death by his parents Wesley Fay Chapman Sr and Floy Lanier Chapman, his sister, Katherine Jean Chapman and his in-laws Alton and Trilby Stevens.
Buster is survived by "his bride" of 55 years, Deborah Stevens Chapman; daughters Toni "T" Chapman, Rebecca "Boop" Davis and husband Eric, and Dana Leonards; seven grandkids: Valerie "Val" Leonards, Aubrey "Lou" Leonards, Drake "Bud" Davis, Jenna "Blondie" Leonards, Makenlea "Princess" Davis, Abigayle "Abi Dabi" Chapman, and Miffy "Miff" Cheng Davis. He had a nickname for them all. He is also survived by three siblings: Roy & Kathy Chapman, Mary & Larry Gill, and Jay Chapman; special Cousin Alton & LaNae Chapman and their family; special Aunt Pat Chapman and her family.; special friend Guy & Maria Williams and their family and Oscar Lee "Rat" Townsend; his favorite little furball friend Daisy Belle better known to him as "Kujo"; many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins along with many brothers and sisters of Union 798.
Grandkids, Alton Chapman, and Guy Williams will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Any Planned memorials or tributes can be made to
Pipeliners Industry Benefit Fund Scholarship Program
P.O. Box 470798
Tulsa, OK 74147
Or
Franklin Academy Scholarship Committee
2110 Loop Rd
Winnsboro, LA 71295
The family would like to express sincere thanks to FMC, Dr. Logan Atkins, Coughran Medical Group, Colvin Medical Group, Elara Caring Hospice and his sitters, Martha Parker and Lainee Dixon for their help in providing care for Buster.
Online condolences may be made at www.dennardfirstnational.com.