William Daniel “Dan” Chandler III, age 66, of Bagwell, TX, left his earthly body on Monday, January 26, 2026. Dan was born September 18, 1959, in Gainesville, TX, to W.D. and Janis Chandler.
He was a graduate of Aubrey High School, where he was voted by his peers “Most Likely to Succeed,” and boy did he succeed. He built such a wonderful and meaningful life. Even the richest man doesn’t understand what it truly means to be rich, but Dan did. After graduation, he found his calling to be woodworking. He worked at Chandler’s Custom Cabinets, a family business, for his cousins, Buster and Danny Lee, where he developed a lifelong love for working with his hands.
In 1984, he moved to Red River County to be near his parents, which is when he started his career at Campbell Soup in Paris, TX, to which he dedicated almost 39 years of his life and was well known for his strong work ethic and dedication. Even after retiring, he was never one to sit still for long. His days were filled with fixing, building, or coming up with some new idea that he had captured in his imagination. He enjoyed creating things and took extreme pride in his craftsmanship, as he should have because it was excellent. He crafted and built so many beautiful things with his two bare hands, and those will now be things his family will cherish more than they already do.
Dan was an avid deer hunter. Deer season seemed to be the only time he would take vacation from work. One of his grandsons was born during deer season, and he often joked about missing out on hunting for his birth, but if there was anything he loved more than the thrill of hunting, it was his family. He was happiest surrounded by his family. He loved them more than anything in this world.
Dan never had to say much, because the way he lived spoke louder than words ever could. When he did speak, people listened. He was very well respected because of his character. He never did anything for recognition or praise; he did it because he cared. His dependability and overall character in general were admirable, no doubt. He was stern when he had to be, but his heart was bigger than Texas. To those that really knew him, he was a gentle giant. He was Superman—strong, steady, and kind in the ways that mattered most.
The saying, “They just don’t make ’em like that anymore,” applies here. He was one of a kind. Honest, fair, hardworking, dependable, loving, and caring. His steady presence will be missed more than words can describe. The impact Dan left on those that know him will live on forever.
He was preceded in death by his parents, W.D. and Janis Chandler, as well as his little sister, Paula Harris.
Dan leaves behind his loving wife and best friend of 35 years, Shawn Chandler; his children, Kristy Isbell and husband Keith, William “Daniel” Chandler IV and wife Taylor, Wade Chandler and wife Brooke, Chassidy Chandler and husband Charles, Brittany Murray and husband Kaleb; nine grandchildren, Dylan, Addison, William, Ava, Paisley, Reese, Brooklyn, Chandler, and Kayce; two sisters, Debbie Chandler and Brinda Peters and husband Billy Joe; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
Serving as Pallbearers will be Daniel Chandler, Wade Chandler, Dylan Chandler, William Chandler V, Cody Pool, and Dustin Daniel.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Keith Isbell, Charles Fowler, Kaleb Murray, and Austin Pool.
The family will receive family and friends at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home on Sunday, February 1, 2026 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Funeral service will be on Monday, February 2, 2026 in the Fry-Gibbs Chapel at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Blanton Creek Cemetery, north of Bagwell.
Online condolences may be sent to the Chandler family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com
