Joyce Fern Chesley

Joyce Fern Chesley was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. She is predeceased by her parents, Willie Owen Williams and Ophelia Bryan Williams, as well as her three older brothers, Owen Williams, Jr., Bryan Williams and Jack Williams.

Fern, as she was known by all, was born October 18, 1930, as she would say "in a house in the middle of a cotton patch near Twitty, Texas." A few years later, her father bought a wheat farm near Vega, Texas. In 1947, Fern married Charles Walcott, a WW II veteran, now deceased. The Lord gave them their daughter, Bonnie. They divorced, and in 1951, Fern moved to Amarillo, Texas, and went to work at the American Optical Company. She began taking night classes for business and secretarial classes at West Texas State University. In 1958 she started working as a secretary at the Amarillo Air Force Base, which was the beginning of her 30-year career in Civil Service.

In 1964, Fern met (through mutual friends) and married Paul L. (Lew) Chesley, who was a Captain in the Air Force and stationed in North Carolina. She moved there and continued her career, as well as becoming Mom to Lew's three children, Ronald, Steven and Diane, who were 10, 6, and 5 years old, respectively. Whenever Lew received transfer orders to a different air base, Fern would transfer with him to the new base. In addition to North Carolina, they were stationed in Maine and Utah. In 1966 Lew received orders, as an Electronic Warfare Officer, to fly 100 combat missions, as a Wild Weasel in an F-105 aircraft, over North Vietnam. While Lew was in Vietnam, Fern and the children stayed stateside in Amarillo until he safely returned. At that time, Lew was transferred to Washington, D.C., and they both worked at the Pentagon for five years. They very much enjoyed their time there. Fern was assigned to the Reconnaissance Division that managed the SR-71 aircraft. She held a very high security clearance as well.

The last move that the family made was to Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque in 1974, where they bought their home. Lew retired in 1980, and Fern in 1990.

Fern and Lew enjoyed their children and grandchildren. They also cared for Fern's mother, Ophelia, and her spouse, L.E. Godwin, until their passing. Fern was a superb cook and would prepare everyone's favorite food on holidays and every time anyone came to visit.

Other most special times in Fern's life were witnessing to people about her Savior, Jesus Christ, serving as a telephone counselor during the Billy Graham Crusades, and serving on the Board of Directors at the Baptist Children's Home in Portales, New Mexico. Both she and Lew (independently) served on the Board a total of 14 years. Another special time connected with the Baptist Children's Home was when they were asked to sponsor one of the children, Tina Carmichael, a thirteen-year-old girl. They loved her very much, as well as her husband, Dustin, and children, Trent and Tara. They became part of their family.

Lew and Fern were members of Del Norte Baptist Church in Albuquerque since 1974. They loved their many friends there. Lew passed away on January 20, 2023.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 10:00 am at French Funerals and Cremations - Wyoming, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109. A graveside service will follow at 1:30 pm at Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 N Guadalupe St, Santa Fe, NM 87501.