Troy Chamlee

William Troy Chamlee, age 95, of Union, Kentucky was called Home to be with Jesus on Friday, May 3, 2024. He was born on Big Sand Mountain in Alabama on April 6, 1929 to William Marion and Eunice Mariah Chamlee (nee Bell).

Troy grew up in the Newport area and graduated from Newport High School. He worked for Hueston Calhoun Auto Body in his early teens and learned how to fix and paint cars. Later, he drove an ice cream truck and at 16 purchased a dump truck and worked to help build the Newport Flood Wall. He was 8 years old when the 37 flood happened and had to evacuate his home in Newport. His family lost everything. He then worked for 47 years at Interlake Steel, a job he loved and was able to perfect his talent of making his famous train whistle noise in the plant. He loved his co-workers and loved to tell stories about them and the merriment they made.

When he was 30 years old he made a decision to follow Christ and his life was never the same; he began a lifelong journey to spread the gospel and he lived his life as a man of integrity. He became Happy The Clown, and took this ministry to 9 countries, nursing homes, churches and anywhere he was invited. He taught Royal Rangers, and worked in the nursery. He visited area jails and loved telling God's Story to the inmates. He did hospital and nursing home visits. He gave time, resources and counseling to anyone in need. He loved people in every walk of life. He was a prayer warrior and a best friend.

Troy loved everybody with his heart and with his actions. His joy was infectious and just being in the same room with him made you feel better. He was a jokester even before dad jokes became a thing and he was funny, even without trying. He loved his 3 classic Mustangs and old cars of any kind. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He played baseball at 90 and was still clogging at 94. He has 600 friends on Facebook. He worked out at Planet Fitness 7 days a week until he was sidelined with back pain in August 2023. He never gave up.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Clara "Toots" Chamlee (nee Slocum), and brothers, Arvin Chamlee and Conard Chamlee. Troy is survived by his beloved children, William "Bill" T. (Patricia) Chamlee, Jr., Joni S. (Bruce) Persinger and Shelly J. (Ed) Wilcox; grandchildren, Jeff (Erin), Jeremy (Greta), Jason (Susana), Joel (Denise), Sophie and Noah; great-grandchildren, Madison, Griffin, Maya, Lucia, Audri, Gavin, Isaiah, Callie, James, Olive and Atticus; and a host of other family members and friends.

In loving memory of Troy, contributions may be made to Care Net Pregnancy Services of Northern Kentucky at www.carenetky.org. A visitation will be held Wednesday, May 8, 2024 from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions - Northern Kentucky Chapel, 4350 Dixie Highway, Erlanger, Kentucky 41018. A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 6pm at The Bridge Church at 7906 Alexandria Pike Alexandria, KY 41001. A private burial will be held at Alexandria Cemetery.


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