Heaven is once again in concert as William Marshall (Hoss) Chastain joined his beloved wife Sara in heaven at the side of our good Lord on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.  He is now dancing forever with the love of his life.  Born in Franklin County, Georgia on November 10, 1928, he grew up in Toccoa/Stephens County, Georgia where he enjoyed all of the advantages of a small county/town.  He graduated from Eastanollee High School in 1945.  In 1949, he married Sara Jane Howe.  Sara was a devoted military wife and traveled the world with him to different assignments overseas.  One was rarely seen without the other.

He was the son of Rex Chastain and Ina Bennett Chastain.  Hoss was a loving husband, father, and friend wherever his travels took him.  The values that Hoss learned in a Christian and military family influenced and guided him throughout his life and was a cornerstone of his character.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 68 years, Sara Jane Howe Chastain; daughter, Sherry Chastain Segars; and brother, Harold Chastain.  He is survived by his daughter, Judy (Donnie) DeFoor; grandsons, Brandon (Taylor) DeFoor, Erik (Tracy) DeFoor; granddaughters, Shannon (Casey) Johnson, and Hope (Gabe) Bevers; fourteen great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; sister, Mozell Isbell; and countless friends.

Hoss served in the United States Air Force for 27 years and retired in December 1977.  His assignments were in England, Turkey, Vietnam, Hawaii, Italy, Texas, and Georgia, and had achieved the rank of Chief Master Sergeant when he retired.  His training and career were in computers and military intelligence/surveillance, mostly at the Air Force Cryptological Depot in San Antonio, TX.  Hoss was stationed at Moody AFB with duties as computer superintendent and base Sergeant Major at time of retirement.

Some of his awards and decorations were Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm, Meritorious Service Award, Air Force Commendation with 2 OLC, Good Conduct Medal with 3 loops, National Defense Service medal with 1 star, Vietnam Service medal with 3 stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal, and the Korean Service medal.

After retirement from the United States Air Force, he was an active participant in his town and community, and was of Protestant faith.  He and his family have been active members of Toccoa Christian Church for over 40 years, where he was elected Chairman of the congregation and Trustee, and he provided funding for a new Fellowship Hall.  He was elected to the Stephens County Soil and Water Conservation Service as supervisor and later selected as Chairman.  He also worked at Hart County EMC, did landscaping until retirement in 2010, and was a farmer invested in produce, mostly peanuts and pecans.  For 40 plus years he brought hundreds of pounds of shelled pecans and peanuts to Stephens County, which were enjoyed by many.  In his later years, he was on disability due to exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

During this period, Hoss was a cattle farmer and member of the Cattleman's Association, a member of the Georgia Young Farmers Association, and was a life member with Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, as well as a member of the American Legion.  His was a life well lived as an example to others.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary from 6pm – 8pm Friday, February 13, 2026.

Funeral services will be held at eleven o'clock Saturday, February 14, 2026  from the Chapel of Whitlock Mortuary with Minister Gary Phillips officiating.

Burial will follow at Stephens Memorial Gardens with Military Honors provided by the United Staes Air Force.

The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers:  Chris Wilson, Casey Johnson, Brandon DeFoor, Erik DeFoor, Dennis Chastain and Doug Chastain.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Toccoa Christian Church, 49 Ramsey Road, Toccoa, GA  30577.

Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers and sign the online guestbook at www.whitlockmortuary.net.

Whitlock Mortuary, Funerals and Cremations is honored to be serving the family of Mr. William Marhsall (Hoss) Chastain.