KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and Director of Athletics Kathy Beauregard are saddened to announce passing of former Western Michigan baseball coach Bill Chambers (1968-75). He was born on Oct. 10, 1924, in Greasy Creek, KY., and was the son of William and Yolanda.

Chambers finished at WMU with a career record of 166-109-2, tied for the third most wins in school history. He led WMU to six winning seasons in his eight years, including a 23-6 mark in 1973. Chambers saw eight players drafted, including third round draft pick Harry Shaughnessy.

"Bill was an assistant coach when I played at Western Michigan and he helped me a great deal on learning how to play the outfield and helped me to learn the coaching business," former WMU coach Fred Decker said of Chambers. "Bill was a very outgoing person and he really enjoyed life. He was very active and I know he really enjoyed playing golf."

Chambers, a native of Huntington, W. Va., graduated from high school in 1943 and enrolled at the University of Cincinnati for one year before transferring to the University of Kentucky where he played quarterback and fullback under Paul "Bear" Bryant. Following graduation, Chambers spent time in the White Sox system and coached at the high school level. He advanced to as high as AA ball with Shreveport of the Texas League after earlier stops in Augusta, Portsmouth (Va.) and Madisonville (Ky.).

He is survived by his sons, Bill Chambers and his wife Irene of Miami, FL, and Jeff Chambers of Grand Haven, MI; daughter, Susan Chambers of Portage, MI; stepdaughters, Ingrid Haddock and her husband Clark of Detroit, MI, and Brigitte Ely of St. Petersburg, FL; grandchildren, Seth Voorhees, Nathan Voorhees, Jonathan Chambers, David Chambers and Michael Chambers; great grandson, William Chambers; and step grandchildren, Hunter Ely, Sam Ely, Brandon Haddock, Drew Haddock and Jordan Haddock.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, at 11 a.m. at Fairfield Glade Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service at the church.

Hpod Funeral Home and Crematory, LLC (www.hoodfuneralhome.com) was in charge of the arrangements.