William Arthur Chase, affectionately known as FLY 51, of Waldorf departed this life December 20, 2009, at Civista Medical Center in LaPlata, MD.

He was born to the late Mary Madeline and Thomas Jerome Chase Sr. on January 12, 1958 in Washington, D.C.

William was educated in the Charles County Public School System. He was employed for many years as a construction worker and briefly worked at The Maryland Independent. Fly was an avid Washington Redskins fan. He liked to spend time with family and friends playing spades (you may remembering him saying "That's that one I wanted yesterday") which meant his opponents were in trouble. Fly loved making people laugh and he was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

He is survived his daughters; Michelle Maxwell, Angel, Tia, Latoya, Alisha, Nicole, Ebony and Shannon Stewart; one son Dominick Stewart; one son-in-law Kenneth Maxwell Jr., three brothers James Butler; Thomas J. Chase Jr. (Abdul Aatif Haziq Fareed), David L. Chase; two sisters Dorothy Washington, Marie Gordon; two sisters-in-law Sheila Chase and Hannah Barnes; one brother-in-law; James Washington; six grandchildren Cadeja and Daniese Stewart, James Wigfall, Launice Walls, Kenayah and Kenneth Maxwell III; two uncles George Butler and William Chase; three aunts Helen Chase, Emily L. Pender(Isaac) and Mary Smith, one special cousin, Willie Mahoney; one special friend Joyce Stewart and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one special cousin Mary Helen Butler.

Viewing will be held on Monday, December 28, 2009 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Thornton Funeral Home Chapel; services will begin at 11:00 am. Burial will take place at Heritage Memorial Cemetery 13472 Poplar Hill Road, Waldorf, MD 20601.

Arrangements provided by Thornton Funeral Home.