Betty Jane Chambers, 94, of Goodyear, AZ, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2025.

She was born in Brooklyn Township, IL, on May 12, 1931, to Wayne and Audrey (Cordell) Hillyer. Raised by her aunt and uncle, Beulah and Odie Ballard, in Plymouth, IL, Betty grew up surrounded by family and community.

On June 17, 1950, she married Donald Clarence Chambers in Quincy, IL. Together they built a loving home, first in Illinois and later in Rapid City, SD, where they moved in December 1963. Betty and Don were blessed with six children, who were fondly referred to as “the older three and the younger three”: Barbara (Larry) Richbourg of Waukee, IA; Michael of Rapid City, SD; David (Becky) of Rapid City, SD; Jeffrey (Jan) of Rapid City, SD and Goodyear, AZ; Gayle of Goodyear, AZ; and Scott (Debie) of Goodyear, AZ.

They were further blessed with grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought joy to their lives.

After her youngest children entered school, Betty began working at McKie–Johnson Ford in Rapid City, where she served as warranty administrator for many years. In 1988, she and Don relocated to Phoenix, AZ, where they lived until Don’s passing in 2001.Betty and Don shared a love of travel, enjoying cruises around the world, RV trips across the United States, and visits to Rocky Point, Mexico. In 2004, Betty moved with her daughter Gayle to the Pebble Creek community in Goodyear, AZ. There she embraced a vibrant social life and formed cherished friendships that became like family.

Her dearest friends included Barb Dildine, Maryann Norcott, Kit Murray, Georgia Weinstein, and Barbie Heck. Betty loved playing cards and, in her 80s, courageously took up water volleyball despite her lifelong fear of water—an activity she came to adore and rarely missed.

Betty is survived by her children; grandchildren Christopher, Katelyn, Kelsie, Jacob, Jessica, Gabrielle, and Braeden; great-grandchildren Savannah, Jackson, Colton, Keaton, Harper, Vance, Sterling, and Everly; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Don, her granddaughter Jacquelyn (J.J.), her daughter-in-law Becky, and her siblings.

A memorial service was held at Pebble Creek in the Chianti Room at the Tuscany Falls Clubhouse in Goodyear, AZ, on December 29, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. 

Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 13, 2026 at Mountain View Cemetery.