Bill Chitwood, 56, Shawnee Mission, a former resident of Osawatomie, died July 16, 1998.

He was born October 21, 1941 in Crane, Mo., the son of James T. and Edna Earle Hunter Chitwood. The family moved to Osawatomie in the 1950s and he attended school there, graduating from Osawatomie High School in 1959. He attended Ottawa University.

He was a charter member of Abe Hinson Masonic Lodge of Alexandria, La., the National Association of Professional Agents and The Club of the Country at Louisburg.

Mr. Chitwood worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad for 25 years, rising to the position of trainmaster at Hearne, Texas. He was an independent insurance agent affiliated with AFLAC, based in Shawnee, from 1984 until the time of his illness.

The survivors include his wife, Chris Chitwood of the home; a daughter, Angela Wolf of Paola; three sons, Michael of Houstonia, Mo., Marc of Canton, Miss., and Aaron of Shawnee; a sister, Lynda L. Cole of Osawatomie; a brother, J. Martin Chitwood of Providence, R.I.; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service was held at the Shawnee United Methodist Church. Arrangements were by Charter Funerals.

Memorials were to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Bill Chitwood Memorial Fund.