Chalmous Clyde Watford, age 89, passed away on Monday, October 22, 2018, at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, Michigan. He was born on January 13, 1929 to the late Orson and Thelma Watford in Dothan, Alabama. A longtime resident of the South Bend area after retirement from the Army, he lived at Caretel Inns of Lakeland in Saint Joseph for the past three years.

Chalmous spent most of his childhood in Mississippi and joined the Army Air Corp in 1946. After three years of service, he earned an Associate of Arts degree in agriculture from Southwest Mississippi Junior College (Summit, MS). He reentered the military in 1951 as a teletype operator and eventually specialized in communications. During that time, he completed officer's training school and achieved the rank of Major. He retired from the Army in 1969, having been stationed in various places including Italy, France, Taiwan, Korea, and the US.

Early in his career, while stationed in Alaska, he met Ellen Ruth Kruger. They married on March 11, 1954. This was followed by an assignment to Chicago, Illinois, where two sons, Trent and Wayne, were born.

Following his retirement from the Army, he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in business at the University of Maryland. In 1971 the family moved to Mishawaka, Indiana, where Chalmous pursued various business ventures related to the metal fabrication industry. He later transitioned into a retirement career focused on purchasing, renovating, and renting homes. He continued to do that until his health declined and he and Ellen relocated to Saint Joseph, MI.

He was dedicated to his faith in God and active in church. He had a strong commitment to his family and was always willing to share the wisdom he had gained from his many years of military and business experience.

He is survived by his sons, Trent (Lynelle) Watford, Wayne (Lana) Watford; grandchildren Jonathan Watford, Jay Watford, and Sara Watford as well as great grandchildren, Alyxis & Avelyn Watford and Avey Watford. He is also survived by a brother Bennie Lee Watford and sisters Willie Clyde Vaughn, Eloise Hart and Polly Anne Owens. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Ruth Watford, brothers John Henry Watford and Willis Watford, sister, Joe Ellen Jansen and grandson Nathan Watford.

Visitation for Mr. Watford will be held on Monday, October 29, 2018, from 11 AM-12 PM at Chapel Hill Funeral Home located at 10776 McKinley Hwy, Osceola, Indiana. A memorial service will follow at 12 pm at the funeral home with a military burial afterwards.

In honor of Chalmous' legacy, the family requests that memorial donations be directed to Hanson Hospice Center, 4025 Health Park Lane, St Joseph, Michigan 49085 or Life Action Ministries, P.O. Box 31, Buchanan, Michigan 49107 in care of Stephani and Mark Wuthnow. Ellen and Chalmous sponsored the Wuthnow's for many years through Life Action Ministries and donations received will help with home improvements providing respite to foster families.