Chauncey Phelps Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Burgaw, NC Chauncey Phelps, 87, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2023, at the New Hanover Hospital in Wilmington, NC, with family by his side. Chauncey was the son of the late Walter & Phyllis Phelps of Sudbury, Massachusetts. He was predeceased by his wife, Bettie Phelps, and stepdaughter, Bonnie O'Connor. He leaves his son, Walter Phelps (Deborah) of NH; daughter, Jane Hallett (Brian) of FL; stepson, Donald Howard (Susan) of MA; stepson-in-law, Charles O’Connor of MA; granddaughters, Bridget Garsh (David), Amber Howard, Kristina LeGrand (Nick), Nichole Latendresse (Chris), Julia Phelps, and great-grandchildren, Hudson Garsh, Brooks Garsh, Colton King, Corbin King, Collin Latendresse and Bennett Latendresse. After Chauncey attended the Newton Trade School in Boston, he began his military service by enlisting in the United States Marines Corps in 1953, at the age of 17. When he completed his term of service at Camp Lejeune, he left the Marines and immediately enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served at the Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts, in Iceland, and at the Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado. He proudly served his country for eight years. After leaving the armed services, Chauncey applied his knowledge of machinery and electronics to work for his brother, Robert, at Phelps TV and Maytag Corporation in Massachusetts. He moved with his wife, Bettie, to Burgaw, NC in 1987, where he worked locally for W.R. Rayson & Co., Inc., and independently, in large appliance repair. Chauncey will be remembered by the many people that knew him as an ardent supporter of the United States Marine Corps. Chauncey was never short on conversation and frequently lent a helping hand to a veteran or neighbor in need. It didn’t matter whether it was a holiday or late in the evening, Chauncey was always ready to help. He was known for his physical strength and longevity in his career. He only recently allowed himself to slow down his pace and grumbled how he couldn’t move a refrigerator or stove like he used to. Chauncey loved his family and the company of his four-legged companions. His family will be holding a commemorative gathering in the Burgaw, NC area in February of 2024, followed by a private military honors service at the National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts and a commemorative gathering in the Sudbury, MA area in Summer of 2024. Please send an email to [email protected] to indicate your interest in the memorial celebrations. In remembrance of Chauncey, contributions to the Pender County Humane Society (https://www.penderhumane.org/) or Folds of Honor (https://foldsofhonor.org/) would be appreciated.