Mr. Wallace Hashim Chambers

Mr. Wallace (Wally) Chambers was born May 15, 1951 in Phenix City, Alabama the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Lee Chambers. Mr. Chambers passed away suddenly September 22, 2019 at Ascension St. Mary's Hospital, at the age of 68 years. He was a member at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Saginaw, Michigan, Pastor Lafayette Simpson. Mr. Chambers moved to Saginaw, Michigan in 2003 after meeting Patsy. He graduated from Mt. Clemens High school in 1969 where he played football. After graduating from high school, he took a chance with two other friends, drove to EKU with little cash and little car. Little did he know this was the beginning of his football career, Coach Roy Kidd at EKU looked at the three of them, decided to keep Wally and sent the other two back home. With no clothes, no money and nowhere to live, Coach Kidd told his wife Sue to go and buy this kid some clothes. Coach took a chance on Wally and it paid off. Wally says he was forever grateful to Coach Kidd. This great coach is 89 yrs. old; Coach Roy Kidd and his wife Sue reside in Richmond, KY. Coach started the Wally Chambers Scholarship Fund at EKU, the program has given many students a great start. Some of the students called and thanked Wally for the scholarship. Wally put Mt. Clemens on the map, he made history there. Wally leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Patsy Chambers, they met after his professional football and coaching career. Wally shares the same birthday as his wife along with two close friends Bobby Haynes and Katie McFadden, yes, they all were born May 15th. Believe it or not he and his wife were married on their birthdays May 15, 2004," 2 for the price of 1" They celebrated their Birthdays and Anniversary each year. Wally is a former American football defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears and defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the early 70's. He was the 8th overall pick for the Bears in the 1973 NFL Draft out of EKU. Mr. Chambers played 5 seasons with the Bears, where he made a Great impact and 2 seasons with Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He didn't miss a game in his first 4 seasons with the Bears. Wally was a (3) time Pro Bowl Selection (1973, 1975, 1976) 1st team All-Pro in 1976, (2) time 2nd team All-Pro in 1974, 1975, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year 1973, UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year 1976, NFL Defensive Linemen of the Year 1976.Wally was one of the best players on the field with the Bears. Wally was also inducted into the KY Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. Knee injuries forced Wally out of the game, but that didn't stop him. He went on to coaching, he coached for the NFL New York Jets. He also coached defensive line (3) different colleges *Northern Iowa Panthers *East Carolina and *Ohio Glory. After the Life of football Wally health began to decline. He had 8 back surgeries hoping it would help alleviate some of the pain, 15 surgeries total. He spent the rest of his days in constant severe pain. His step-son Jameson was a huge help to him especially when he'd fall and didn't have the strength to pull his self backup. Chambers enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren, and looked forward to seeing his daughter, Shewana who resides in Frankfort, KY with two of the grandchildren. So, look out EKU because the oldest granddaughter (Jazmin) is 15 and almost 6’0 feet tall, she loves basketball, and volleyball with her sister baby girl (Janyiah) on her trail to be better than Jazz. Grandson Josiah was also a big help to Papa and Grandson Ayden wanted to take over, he loves to help too. Wally also loved talking to his family, baby sister (Susie), his brother (Mike), baby brother (Ronnie) he loved all of his family, before he hung up, he'd always say I love you. And of course, he Loved watching football with his brothers-in-law John Trice and Winston Walker. He loved his wife who stuck by his side all the way to the end, Wally will be missed by all that loved him. The doctor asked if he had the chance to do it all over again, would you? His answer was yes because I love the game. Mr. Wallace Chambers leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Emma “Patsy” Chambers of Saginaw, MI; daughter, Shewana Chambers of Frankfort, KY; stepson, Jameson Walker of Saginaw, MI; four grandchildren, Jazmin and Janiyah Chambers, Josiah and Ayden Walker; sister, Susie Blanchett of Mt. Clemens, MI; three brothers, Michael (Alison) Chambers of Rentz, GA, Ronnie Chambers of Marquette, MI and Jimmy (Catherine) Fleming of Leeds, AL; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins including special cousins, Ike Jakes, Uncle Charlie and Aunt Betty; two sisters-in-law, Lucile Trice and Doris Walker, both of Saginaw, MI; four brothers-in-law, Elbert and Winston Walker, John Trice, all of Saginaw, MI and Willie Walker of Gates, TX; a host of other relatives and friends including special friends, Jim Osborne of Algonquin, IL, Waymond Bryant of Mound Flower, TX , Larry Kirksey of Atlanta, GA and Bobby Sanders of OH. Mr. Chambers was preceded in death by his son, Wallace Chambers II; his parents, Jimmy and Evelyn Chambers; sisters, Mae Gibson and Debbie Ogbonna; brothers, Douglas, Larry, Rufus, Carl Chambers; niece, Evelyn Houston Family hour will take place at 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 30, 2019 at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 3309 Bundy Street, Saginaw, Michigan 48601 with the memorial service commencing at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Lafayette Simpson will officiate.

Mr. Wallace Hashim Chambers

May 15, 1951 - September 22, 2019