Dr. Bill Chandler 1935-2020
Founding Father, Visionary, Advocate, Friend of OCTC Linda Taylor
OCTC and this community lost a beautiful soul on July 18th this year with the passing of Dr. Bill Chandler. I consider myself both fortunate and blessed to have developed a lasting friendship with this amazing man and his sweet wife, Sandy.
to push funding through the legislature to create Owensboro Community College (now OCTC) in the 1980’s.
His favorite saying was,” If there is enough time to do it, there is enough time to do it right.” He lived his entire life with this attitude, and through his wisdom and example, he was able to change many lives along the way. I know his children and grandchildren feel most fortunate to have had his guidance throughout their lives.
He may have been small in stature, but he was a giant when it came to his dedication to our college and offering sound advice, time, resources, and a vast knowledge through his service on the OCTC Board of Directors and OCTC Foundation Board. For that, Bill Chandler is a hero in the hearts of all who knew him.
He and this group of concerned citizens worked tirelessly to bring an affordable public institution of higher education that has touched more than 75,000 After serving in multiple leadership roles with the lives to date through this effort. Presidents of the Owensboro Public Schools (OPS), Dr. Chandler was named superintendent of OPS. He served this system college were most grateful to have such an advocate for 38 years with honor, compassion, and the desire to in their presence willing to help them as they began their careers at OCTC. see students thrive and excel through education.
Following his retirement in 1997, he and Sandy enjoyed cattle and crop farming in Philpot. He also co-authored the book, “History of Owensboro Public School System (1871-2007).” Dr. Chandler truly cared about all people, particularly the children and youth of our community. He spent half his life working tirelessly to advance educational opportunities. He was involved in establishing Hager Preschool for three and four-year-old at-risk children to working with the Citizens Committee for Education.
31
Dr. Jacqueline Addington, past president of OCTC, noted, “Bill Chandler was “our rock” and longtime loyal friend of OCTC from the beginning. He cared deeply for the students and rarely missed an opportunity to celebrate their achievements.” Dr. Jim Klauber, Hagerstown Community College president and former OCTC president added, “He mentored me with all sorts of advice to address every situation imaginable as it arose at the college. He opened the doors of community leaders right and left so that I could meet them and talk about OCTC. He displayed all the best traits of a leader: humility, creativity, magnanimity, and above all else, integrity.” “Our community has lost a true visionary and a tireless champion of serving others. Dr. Chandler’s career is a testament to helping others through excellence in education from primary through post-secondary. While we mourn his loss, we take solace in knowing that his legacy of excellence in education
OCTC President’s News Fall 2020
