It is with sadness that we announce the passing of William Eugene Chaney on February 15, 2025, in Prescott, Arizona after a brief illness. Bill was born and raised in Fillmore, California where he met the love of his life, Marcia Drew. They married in 1968 and were blessed with two daughters. Bill was introduced to the citrus industry at an early age, driving trucks for the citrus trucking company owned and operated by his parents. Bill forged a successful career in citrus as a packing house owner and lemon and specialty citrus grower in the Yuma, Arizona area. He served on the Sunkist Board of Directors for more than 20 years, including terms as vice chairman, where he represented the Allied Citrus Growers Exchange in Arizona as Vice President. He also served as President of Marlin Packing Company, Marlin Ranching Company, The Marlin Group, Inc., and Marlin Growers.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, John and Irene (Lee) Chaney, his wife, Marcia, his brother Robert, and his sister, Ovanda Estep. He is survived by his companion Bernadette Bell, his daughters, Mary “Lisa” Elizabeth Giacolone and Debra Ann Walker, his grandchildren Ryan Giacolone, Megan Botha, William Linn, and Marcia Linn, his sister, Beverly Hurst, and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 604 Ojai Road, Santa Paula, California on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 11AM followed by a lunch reception. Friends and associates are invited to join the family as we celebrate his life.