Who is William Hayes Chamberlain? Richard Chamberlain’s Brother Bio: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Parents, Children, Death

Biography

William Hayes “Bill” Chamberlain (born November 5, 1927 – date of passing unknown) was the older brother of acclaimed American actor and singer Richard Chamberlain.

He was born to Charles Axiom Chamberlain, a salesman in Beverly Hills, California, and Elsa Winnifred Matthews. The family later found stability through his father’s refrigerator business.

Bill attended Beverly Hills High School alongside his younger brother and went on to work with their father at City Refrigerator Inc. for 14 years. He married Patricia, and together they had two sons, William III and Michael.

Unlike Richard, who gained fame as a television heartthrob and stage actor, Bill led a more private life with little public information about his pursuits. He later passed away in Mercer Island, Washington, though the exact date remains unconfirmed.

Richard Chamberlain’s brother
William Hayes Chamberlain
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	William Hayes Chamberlain
Stage Name:	William Hayes “Bill” Chamberlain
Born:	5 November 1927 (age 70 years old)
Place of Birth:	Beverly Hills, California, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Beverly Hills High School
Height:	N/A
Parents:	Elsa Winnifred Matthews, Charles Axiom Chamberlain
Siblings:	Richard Chamberlain
Spouse:	Patricia Chamberlain
Girlfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	William Hayes Chamberlain III, Michael Chamberlain
Occupation:	Celebrity Brother
Net Worth:	$1 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

William Hayes Chamberlain, commonly known as “Bill,” was born in Beverly Hills, California on November 5, 1927. He was raised in an affluent part of Los Angeles County alongside his younger brother, Richard Chamberlain, who later rose to fame as an actor and singer.

Of primarily English descent, his paternal ancestors traced their roots back to 17th-century Massachusetts. While details about his religious upbringing are scarce, his family appeared to observe the Christian traditions typical of mid-20th-century American households.

Bill was the eldest son of Charles Axiom Chamberlain and Elsa Winnifred Matthews. His father initially worked as a salesman and struggled with alcoholism during Bill’s early years, which affected the family’s stability. However, Charles later successfully managed City Refrigerator Inc., providing a more secure foundation. His mother, Elsa, was a homemaker who played a supportive role in raising their two sons.

For his education, Bill attended Beverly Hills High School, a prestigious public school known for its distinguished alumni. Unlike his brother Richard, who studied at Pomona College and built a celebrated career in entertainment, Bill took a more conventional path, focusing on family and business.

Career

William Hayes Chamberlain, known as “Bill,” led a relatively private career compared to his younger brother, Richard Chamberlain, who achieved fame as an actor.

After graduating from Beverly Hills High School, Bill took a more practical, family-oriented path, working alongside his father, Charles Axiom Chamberlain, at City Refrigerator Inc. This business, specializing in the sale and maintenance of refrigeration equipment, became a stable enterprise after Charles overcame earlier struggles with alcoholism. Bill dedicated 14 years to the company, playing a key role in its Beverly Hills, California operations.

While details about his responsibilities at City Refrigerator Inc. are limited, his long tenure suggests sales, management, or technical support involvement. His career path reflected a pragmatic choice, contrasting with Richard’s artistic pursuits.

Little is publicly documented about his additional professional ventures beyond his work at the family business. After leaving City Refrigerator Inc., his career path faded from public record, suggesting he may have transitioned to other work or prioritized family life. He later settled in Mercer Island, Washington, with his wife, Patricia, and their two sons, William III and Michael.

Personal Life

William Hayes Chamberlain, born on November 5, 1927, lived a life that spanned much of the 20th century. The exact date of his death is not widely confirmed, making it difficult to pinpoint his precise age at passing.

Given his birth year, if he lived into the early 21st century, he would have been in his late 70s or older. As of the current date, March 31, 2025, he would have been 97 if still alive, though evidence suggests he passed away earlier in Mercer Island, Washington.

William was married to a woman named Patricia Chamberlain, though specific details about their wedding date or circumstances are not well-documented. No public record indicates multiple marriages, suggesting that his union with Patricia was his only marriage. They had two sons: William Hayes Chamberlain III and Michael Chamberlain. Information about any additional children or subsequent relationships is absent from available records, pointing to a stable family life with Patricia as his lifelong partner.

Regarding his physical stature, no specific data exists on William’s height. Unlike his brother Richard Chamberlain, whose public career as an actor brought such details into the spotlight, William lived a private life, and such personal metrics were never recorded or shared publicly.

Net Worth

William Hayes Chamberlain’s net worth is not definitively documented in public records. However, for the sake of this note, one might estimate his net worth at approximately $1 million, a speculative figure based on his 14-year tenure at his father’s business, City Refrigerator Inc., and a modest lifestyle in Mercer Island, Washington.

Unlike his brother, Richard Chamberlain, whose acting career amassed a reported $25 million, William’s financial standing remains private mainly, and this $1 million figure is an assumption rather than a confirmed value.