Obituary of William August Chappelear

With the deepest sadness we share the sudden passing of our son William August Chappelear on Thursday, January 7^th, 2022.

William was born in Santa Cruz on December 26th, 1995. He lived on Averitt Street on the westside of Santa Cruz until age five. This is where at age 2, he was delighted to find his first skateboard left by a stranger in our driveway. He then moved with his family to Manana Woods in Scotts Valley. He attended Mountain Elementary School in Soquel, Scotts Valley Middle School, and Santa Cruz High School where he made so many wonderful friends. William was a passionate and avid skateboarder. He excelled at street and vert styles. William spent much of his youth at various local and regional skateparks honing his craft. William enjoyed international travel to visit his French family throughout France,  and also spent time in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Costa Rica, and Hawaii. William is deeply loved by so many friends all over Santa Cruz County. He was the essence of love and kindness, generosity, loyal spirit, and had a great sense of humor. William is adored, beloved and survived by his dad William Edward Chappelear, his mom Sophie Véniel, his sister Emily “Mimi” Chappelear, maternal grandfather Charles Véniel of France, paternal grandparents F Edward & Mary Anne Chappelear of southern California, along with four uncles, one aunt, and many cousins. William is preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Danielle Véniel of France who adored spending the summers with her grandson.

“William, you gentle soul. Our love for you is eternal.” William is not gone but all around all of us now, the way he wanted it to be. ~Jarlath O'Brien

Services will be held at 3pm on Saturday, January 29^th at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Garden Chapel, 1050 Cayuga Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062.   

Please bring one flower (wild or from your garden) and a votive candle to honor and fill William's heart with light and warmth.

A sunset celebration of life and candlelight vigil will be held immediately following at Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz  (East Cliff Drive & Mott Ave). 

Donations can be made in William’s name to www.songforcharlie.org to fight the fentanyl poisoning crisis.