William Choate

William L. Choate PORTSMOUTH - William L. Choate, 87, of the 2500 block of Evergreen Place, died Oct. 22, 2008, in Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center. Mr. Choate retired after 35 years from the U.S. Postal Service and was a lifelong member of Emanuel AME Church in Portsmouth. He was an Army veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict, member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Mount Gilead No. 2 Lodge of Masons and was affiliated in many other capacities as well. The widower of Minnielena Choate, he is survived by two daughters, Janice Williams (Jimmy) and Tonette Choate-Wilder; three sisters, Ruth Williams, Jacqueline Long and Sara Choate Brown; two brothers, Donald Choate and Russell Choate; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A funeral will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in Emanuel AME Church, Portsmouth, by the Rev. Granger Flythe. Burial will be in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk. Fisher Funeral Home, 1520 Effingham St., Portsmouth, is in charge. Viewing will be today from 1 to 4 p.m. and Monday at noon. Also, the family will be at the funeral home Monday from 6 to 7 p.m. when the Omega ritual will take place. The body will be in the church Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. www.fisherfuneral.com.