Billy A. Chidester, 81, of Bluffton, died at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 21, 2010, at Bluffton Hospital.

He was born June 1, 1929 to Charles and Roberta (Church) Chidester in Cridersville, Ohio. He married Barbara Leigh on April 8, 1951. He later married Thelma Knupp (Feb. 1, 1986) and she died Oct. 4, 2009.

Mr. Chidester retired after 46 1/2 years from the Nickel Plate-Norfolk Western Southern Railroad. He was a member of the Sugar Creek Church of the Brethren, Lima, and was attending College First Church of God, Findlay.

He was a member of the Korean War Veterans Association and Eagles Aerie 370, Lima, and had served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War for 18 months.

Survivors are daughter, Terry (Michael) Downey, Bluffton; daughter Elizabeth (Jim) Serin, Findlay; son, Tony (Deb) Chidester), Findlay; sister, Sue C. Harris, Panama City, Fla.; sister, Imogene Schaefer, Lynn Haven, Fla.; brothers, Charles Chidester, Winter Haven, Fla.

Also surviving are grandsons Michael Downey II, Christian Downey and Nicholas Downey; great-grandson, Michael Downey III, and great-granddaughter, Bailey Downey; and a special niece, Carol Straub, Butler, Ind.

He was preceded in death by sisters, Margaret Krull and Helen Shoemaker.

A funeral service is at 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 26, at Chiles-Laman Funeral Home, Bluffton. Pastor Bill Reist will officiate.

Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial is at Sugar Creek Cemetery, Lima. Memorials may be made to the American Alzheimer's Association. Online condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.