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William Drake Obituary
WILLIAMSTON-William "Will" Franklin Drake, Jr., 54, of 523 Parker Street, husband of Annette G. Drake, died Friday, February 27, 2009, at his home.
Born in Anderson County, he was a son of William Franklin Drake, Sr. of Williamston and the late Martha Smith Drake. He was employed for twenty-five years as a water treatment specialist for the town of Williamston and the Duke/Anderson Joint Regional Water Systems from which he retired on disability. Mr. Drake was a member and deacon of West Pelzer Baptist Church, a thirty-seven year member of the Williamston Fire Department, a charter member of the Williamston Jaycees, a charter member of the Williamston Spring Water Festival committee, and a charter member of the Spring Water Festival Car Show. He was a member of the Tri-City Rod and Custom where he served as past president and secretary. He was also the Southeast Divisional Director for the National Street Rod Association for the past ten years, a member of NSRA for thirty years, and served as Safety Inspector and State Representative for South Carolina. Mr. Drake enjoyed travel over the United States in his street rods accomplishing the One Lap of America several times with friends Glen Dodd, Reese Fant, and the late Larry Segars.
Surviving are his wife of the home; his father of Williamston; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Lonnie and Diane Neves of Pelzer; mother-in-law Sue Gaillard of the home, two nieces, and several great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 2:30 pm Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church with Reverend Randall Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Greenville Memorial Gardens.
The family is at the home and will receive friends 6:00-8:00 pm Friday at West Pelzer Baptist Church and 12:00-2:00 pm Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to West Pelzer Baptist Church, 29 Main Street, Pelzer, SC 29669 or to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621. Condolences-www.graymortuary.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Drake
Charlie Myers
March 10, 2009
Annette
I will surly miss Will's smiling face and funny talk,and our talks about how to make NSRA and the world in general a better place, it still bring tears to my eyes when I relize that God called him to spread happiness for him, and that he won't be here doing the same. My prayers for you will continue forever because you and Will are friends
Shelia Jones
March 10, 2009
Annette,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you.
Dave Huber
March 9, 2009
Ammette Will was a Great person and Street Rodder. He was always there for us. He Loved Street rodding, and always had time to talk . Everyone should be more like will. We are sorry for your loss, and our Prayers go out to you and the Family. Dave Huber and the NSRA Kentucky Safety Team.
Ken Eckelson
March 9, 2009
Annette;
Needless to say my thoughts and prayers have been with you and Will for a long time. You two were a great team, and super friends for many, many years. I always looked forward to seeing you guys at the nationals. When I moved here, I was so looking forward to taking our friendship to a higher level, and I did, somewhat. I'll miss seeing him at the shows and cruise ins, but rest assured, he's already organizing shows up in Heaven, and being reunited with our fallen street rodders.
Will was a very much loved man, and will be sorely missed by so many people, myself included. Goodbye to a good friend. May you, Annette, find strength in knowing how many lived you guys have touched in a positive way throughtout the years.
William and Tennie Reid
March 7, 2009
Dear Annette, Will was one of my best childhood friends all the kids in our neighborhood were so close,he was so kind, then he grew into a wonderful man and William met him in the fire department and they became friends, so he was a wonderful friend to us not be mention a great neighbor. I know you will miss him but just think what he and Mott and Jesus is doing. Don't you know that was a wonderful meeting. Try to stay strong, you had a great man that loved you dearly. We will always love you both and we will be praying for you.
Jason Thrift
March 6, 2009
Hey Annette,
My fondest memories of Will were his bright and friendly smile, and the pleasant words he would have to share with everyone. He could lighten the air on the unit sometimes, just by his presence alone. I was honored to have known him, and my only regret is that I didn't get to know him better. He was a truly blessed man and you were blessed to have had him, as were we all that were able to know him. But now, somewhere he's still smiling, his kind words are echoing, and you'll always be able to feel his presence in all that you do. Take care Annette and God's speed.
Jason and Leslie
Donna Daniel
March 6, 2009
Dear Annette,
my thoughts and prayers are with you, and always remember with Gods love you will always be ok, love you, Donna Daniel/anmed
The EVS Staff AnMed
March 6, 2009
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Rick Laney
March 5, 2009
I worked with Will for a short period of time, but it didn't take a long time to know that Will was truly a blessed person.
Debbie Shaw-Riddle
March 5, 2009
Annette, When I was in High School Will was my best friend & "BUDDY". When my daddy past away someone gave me these words~LOVE isn't something that ends with DEATH. May God be with now & always. Debbie Shaw Riddle
March 5, 2009
Will was a great guy...I only wish I could have known him more. I was fortunate enough to meet him at ARJWS, only after he got sick. He had the best attitude of anybody I'd ever met. He's in his Father's arms now, free of pain and suffering. Annette, I will be praying for you and your family. God Bless You.
Gail Scott
March 5, 2009
My prayers are with you.Will was a good man.We had talked about having a block party for our neighborhood.Will is having his block party in Heaven.The last time I talked to him he told me that his illness was in God's hands.God chose to have Will come home.I prayed for him every day.I will pray for confort for you.
Angela Reeves
March 5, 2009
Annette, I am so sorry about Will. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless You.
Steve Bradley
March 5, 2009
Annette, We were sorry to hear of Will's death. We did not know until today, March 4th. We will be sending a contibution to the church in his memory. Harriet and I will stop by to see you in the near future.
Randy & Rose Shackelford
March 4, 2009
Annette,
Our prayers are with you. We know God has His loving arms around you and will see you thru.
Luv in Christ
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