2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
William Blakeslee Chapel, Ph.D., 90, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, went home to be with Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, Friday, November 14, 2025. Born in Detroit, MI, at Henry Ford Hospital, December 11, 1934, he was the son of the late Harold Raymond and Marjorie Corlette (Howard) Chapel. He is survived by his wife and very special love, Leandra Zellner Chapel. In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by his daughters, Katherine Marie Johnson (Douglas) of Egg Harbor, WI, Andrea Louise Chapel Guerrero (Steven) of Benson, AZ, stepchildren Ann Trump of Allentown, Karen Zellner Reilly (Patrick) of Allentown, and Bill Zellner (Mason) of Los Angeles, CA, seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren. two step-great-grandchildren, several other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by sister Nancy Sutton.
Raised in Birmingham, MI, Bill was a member of “The Crew of ’52”, graduating class at Birmingham High School. He then went on to earn a Certificate of Graduation from Moody Bible Institute, Bachelor of Business Administration at the University of Michigan. In addition, he earned both a Master of Science in Rhetorical and Technical Communication, and Doctor of Philosophy at Michigan Technological University.
After graduation, Bill was an investment securities advisor in Detroit, MI. An entrepreneur and salesman, Bill owned and operated Chapelwood Products in MI. Bill was a faculty member at Michigan Technological University for many years, where he taught international business communication, business communication, entrepreneurship, and also, teaching intercultural communication. He was proud to share his faith as a pastor of Grace Free Lutheran Church, Pelkie, MI, as well as preaching the Bible at several other churches and parachurch venues in PA and MI. Bill was also an accomplished, published writer with Communication: God’s Design (2007) and Finding Meaning: A Quest for Truth (2012), along with numerous scholarly papers in the field of international management communication.
A Funeral Service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Heintzelman-Stephens Funeral Home, 274 N. Krocks Rd. Allentown, PA 18106. A Calling Hour will be held from 9:30-10:30 prior to the service in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Allentown Rescue Mission, 355 Hamilton Street Allentown PA 18101.
