Willliam Gregory Chance

William Gregory Chance, 63, of Jonesboro, passed away Tuesday evening, April 14, 2015, from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle accident west of Jonesboro.

Born in Wichita, Kansas, Greg moved to Jonesboro in 1965 with his family when his father accepted a teaching position on the faculty of Arkansas State University. Greg was a 1970 graduate of Nettleton High School where he was manager of the high school football team, statistician for the basketball team and ran the 880 yard and mile runs on the track team.

Greg earned an Associate degree at Williams Baptist College where he was manager for the basketball team. He was a 1974 graduate of Arkansas State University where he earned a Bachelor degree in communications. Up to the very end, Greg signed all correspondence with "an Indian in my heart and a Redwolf forever."

Following graduation, Greg worked in radio and lived in Hardy, Hope and Blytheville before moving to Jonesboro in 1982 and joining KASU radio as farm reporter. Four years later he was named news director. During his broadcasting career, Greg received 15 awards from the Arkansas Education Association and 30 awards from the Arkansas Broadcasters Association.

Greg was a past member of the Lions Club and Kiwanis Club while residing in other cities and was a member of Fisher Street United Methodist Church in Jonesboro. He was preceded in death by his parents: Dr. William and Doris A. Blank Chance; a sister, Nancy Chance; brother-in-law, Cary Gillespie; his grandparents; and three canine companions: "Mittens," "Cuddles," and "Pepper." Greg was a versatile, involved, busy professional newsman, but he had no greater love than his wife and family.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Cindy Chance, married December 3, 1978;
1 sister, Rebetta Gillespie of Jackson, Tennessee;
father-in-law and mother-in-law: Bob and Wilma Kensinger of Forrest City;
sister-in-law, Linda (Elmer) Billingsley of Ravenden;
2 aunts: Betty (Doug) Williams of Mesa, Arizona and Jo and Don Ireland of Kansas City;
1 niece, Brady Lee North;
5 nephews: Brian Billingsley, Chad (Alicia) Billingsley, Cody Billingsley, Jeremy (Lauren) Gillespie and Cameron (Ardis) Gillespie;
1 great niece, Abby North;
4 cousins; and a special canine companion, "Heidi."

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, April 22, at 10:00 a.m. in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Rev. Paul Horner officiating. Burial will be private. Staff members and fellows employees of KASU Radio will be honorary pallbearers. Visitation will follow the memorial service in Emerson Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider Arkansas Angels 4 Animals, P.O. Box 19055, Jonesboro, AR 72404, or NEA Humane Society, 6011 E. Highland Dr., Jonesboro, AR 72401.