R.E and Hazel Chapman

Rollie E. “R.E.” Chapman was born on May 24, 1908, in Daviess County, Kentucky, to Joseph William Chapman and Ethel Jane Brand. R.E. graduated from WKU in 1939, with a bachelor’s degree in English. He was married to Hazel Irene Wade Chapman.

Hazel was born on April 28, 1916, in Ohio County, Kentucky to William Leslie Wade and Mary Agness Henning. Hazel was a member of Bethabara Baptist Church for nearly 70 years, where she taught Sunday School and was active in their quilters group and the Habit Homemakers Club. A gifted seamstress, she made quilts for all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She sewed many Halloween costumes, Easter outfits, and Christmas dresses over the years. She loved flowers and was passionate about gardening. She was known for her sweet nature and thoughtfulness.

R.E. and Hazel had four children, Darien Dink, Linda, Bill, and Wilson. Like his parents, Wilson graduated from WKU. While on the Hill, he played for the Hilltopper Football team and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. R.E. and Hazel were married until his passing on January 5, 1989, and hers on March 19, 2006.

To honor their memories, Wilson established the R.E. and Hazel Chapman Scholarship Endowment. The fund assists athletes at WKU. Through this fund, R.E. and Hazel’s legacies live on.