William (Bill) Luttrell Chamblee

Lt. Col. William (Bill) Luttrell Chamblee (USAF Retired), 66, of Rigny-Ussé, France, passed away peacefully May 21, 2023, from cancer.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Joanna Schettler Chamblee of Dalton, GA; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William T. Chamblee of Cofield, NC and Mr. and Mrs. Gustav R. Schettler of Knoxville, TN; stepmother, Betty Ann Chamblee of Dalton; mother and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Vallée of Saumur, France; stepbrother, David Kenemer of Deland, FL.

He is survived by his wife, Anne Vallee Chamblee of Rigny-Ussé, France; father, James (Jim) B. Chamblee of Dalton, GA; brothers, James B. Chamblee Jr (Bearle) of Matthews, NC, and Lt. Col. John S Chamblee (USAF Ret.) (Jean) of Peachtree City, GA; sister, Rebecca C Sibley (Scott) of Dalton, GA; brother and sisters in law of France, Beatrice Malherbe (Gilles), Bertrand Vallée (Angélique) and Véronique Vallée; stepbrothers and stepsisters, Kerry Kenemer (Liz) of Asheville, NC, Lynn Couty of France, Beth Campbell (James) of Rocky Face, GA, Bobe Kenemer of Deland, FL; and several nephews and nieces.

Bill graduated from Dalton High School in 1974, where he played four years of football. He reported to the US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, on his 18th birthday, graduating with honors from the Academy. His twemnty-four years of active duty took him to many assignments in the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia. As a weapons system officer, he was involved in the development of the original Fighter Weapon School course for the F15-E, Strike Eagle, at Nellis AFB. He served as an instructor there for three years. Upon retirement he taught AP Physics to seniors at Washington-Lee High School, Arlington, VA, for fifteen years before settling permanently in France.

Bill was the type of person that influenced a lot of people with whom he served, taught, and lived. He led by example and was respected and loved by all. He will be greatly missed.

The funeral services were presided by Father Clement d’Uzer in the village of Rigny-Ussé, France. The burial was in the village cemetery on May 26, 2023. Anyone wishing to make a donation in his memory can do so to their favorite charity or to the American Cancer Research Society.