William "Will" Chism

Will Chism passed away on Wednesday, June 12th in his home surrounded by family and friends. He was 81 years old. A quiet, kind, gentle giant of a man, he was universally regarded as “one of the nicest men I’ve ever known” by anyone who had the good fortune to be invited into his world.

William Greer Chism was born on May 24, 1943, in Reno, to former Reno Mayor John Chism and Miriam Chism. A fourth-generation Renoite, Will was the third of four children. He grew up like any normal kid in the 1940s and 1950s in his hometown, playing sports, wrenching on cars and getting into all kinds of harmless trouble with his brothers. In the early 1960s, he enrolled at the University of Nevada, where his parents had attended before him, and where his grandfather, Walter Earnest Clark, was president from 1918-1938. He was a fine arts major with exceptional talents for painting, pottery, illustration and sculpture. There he met his first wife Leah Geyer, and they later had two children together (Calder John and Rachael Elizabeth).

Will embarked on a career in television production, working for KTVN Channel 2 for more than a decade producing and directing the nightly newscast, live broadcasts of Wolf Pack basketball games at the old Centennial Coliseum, doing voiceover work, occasional on-air talent cameos and also built the sets for the news desk and the weekly outdoor sporting program “Sportsman’s Trails with Chet and Link Piazzo.”

In 1980, he left the bright lights and long nights of the local television world to go into partnership with his siblings on ownership of the family business, Chism’s Trailer Park, a Reno landmark since 1927 on the west end of the town on the Truckee River and site of the old Chism House which is listed on the national registry of historic places. There he and his brother David ran the business for over 30 years until the family sold the property in 2015 to the owners of what is now the Elm Estate and the River West Resort.

During this time, Will was heavily involved with the Reno Tennis Club, where he served as its president for years, ran tournaments, and even maintained the grounds. He was equally invested in his children’s sports, practicing tennis with both of them constantly, and rooting Rachael on throughout her high school and college basketball career.

In 1992, Will married the true love of his life, Janet, and the two of them spent the next 32 years living their best life. They did everything together. Traveling, golfing, and entertaining friends and family, being active members of Hidden Valley Country Club. They made annual escapes to Packer Lake, Ketchum Idaho, and spent quality time at their second home in Kings Beach. It was truly the happiest time of his life. He loved taking care of his yard, he loved to cook and he especially loved taking care of her. Janet took exceptionally good care of him and loved him with all her heart and every ounce of energy she had 24/7 until his final breath.

His older brother Gordon sent him a letter on a recent birthday and described Will as follows:

“You are a life-long success story. You were a lovable, considerate boy that everyone wanted to take home. You were a high school super star. All-state basketball team, school president, everyone’s friend….In college you were the golden boy of the art department… you had two beautiful children and then grandchildren who love you… You found the love of your life and settled down in a luxury home on the country club golf course…Let’s face it, you are CAPTAIN AMERICA!...”

Will was preceded in death by his parents John and Miriam; his mother-in-law Barbara Coryell, and his sister Betty Cordes. He is survived by his wife Janet; brothers Gordon and David; son Calder (daughter-in-law Tricia); daughter Rachael (son-in-law Matthew Rosenbloom); stepsons Jason Thompson (daughter-in-law Kim) and Danny Frank (daughter-in-law Pennie) and 9 grandchildren (Chloe Chism, Will Chism, Carly Rosenbloom, Griffin Rosenbloom, Ava Thompson, Sadie Thompson, Audrey Frank, Kylie Frank and Zach Otto).

The family wishes to thank the Renown Palliative Care and Hospice Care Staff -namely April and Katie- for their tremendous care and support.

A Celebration of Life will be held for invited family and friends on July 20th at the Elm Estate.