Moody Eugene Chapin, 96 of Ocala, surrounded by his family, stepped into the waiting arms of his loving Savior on September 6, 2018. He was born in High Springs, Florida to Rev. Harley L. Chapin and Mabel Cromwell Chapin on March 23, 1922.
As a young teen, the entire Chapin family, with 9 children, moved to Belleview FL where he met the love of his life, Hilma Redding. After his graduation from Ocala High School, he married his sweetheart and lifelong companion Hilma in 1941. When their first child was a few months old he was drafted into the US Navy and served his country with honor and distinction in WWII aboard the YMS71, a minesweeper. It was blown up when it hit a mine in Tawitawi Bay, during the Philippines liberation and he was awarded the prestigious Purple Heart.
He and Hilma owned and operated Moody’s Welding & Machine Shop in Ocala for 28 years.
He was a member of the First Assembly of God Church of Ocala, and a former member of the First Pentecostal Holiness Church of Ocala where he was an active member, serving on the church board and teaching Sunday School for 30+ years, receiving many plaques of appreciation for his unique teaching style which he considered his gift. He was predeceased by his devoted wife of almost 77 years, Hilma, on July 28th of this year, and by his daughter, Myrna Watson of Moultrie, GA., and by his two older brothers Hugh and Bruce Chapin of St. Petersburg, Fl, and by his baby brother John Chapin of Ocala, and by his sisters Alice Chapin, Atlanta Ga, Rachel Harding, Cherokee, NC and Esther Vlier, Akron, OH.
He is survived by his daughter Glenda (Terry) Hoskins, Ocala and his son Stephen (Brenda) Chapin, Crystal River, FL, sisters Ruth Hopper, Belleview, FL and Jean Perkins, Dothan, AL.
He was very proud of his 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
There will be a celebration of his life on Monday September 10th at 2:00 PM. Viewing will be at 1:00PM until service time at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home, 5946 SE Robinson Road in Belleview, FL. Graveside services, including military honors by the US Navy, will follow at Belleview Cemetery.