Obituary for William F. "Bill" Drake, Sr. at Neeld Funeral Home, Inc.

William F. “Bill” Drake, Sr., 91, of Xenia, went Home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at Harmony Center of Xenia. He was born October 7, 1926, in Xenia, Ohio, the son of Lewis F. and Elsie M. Smith Drake. He was a lifetime resident of Xenia, and was the oldest member of Xenia Nazarene Church, where he served on the church board, as a Sunday school superintendent, building fund committee, and served on many mission trips. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving during World War II, and retired as a building contractor. He is survived by his wife, Betty L. (Kelly) Drake, whom he married, November 23, 1946, two daughters, Vicki A. (John) Rickey, and Tamara S. (Michael) Reed, a son, William F. (Joyce) Drake, Jr., all of Xenia, 11 grandchildren, Keel Stauffacher, and Jason Drake, both of Florida, Rick Chiavichien, North Carolina, Shawn (Tracey) Rickey, Fairborn, Eric (Kim) Rickey, Alabama, Beth (Mike) Wilson, Melissa (Jason) Long, Chris (Lacey) Reed, Bradley Reed (fiancée, Jordan), all of Xenia, Heather (Brandon) Daum, Jamestown, and Jennifer Plemons, Dayton, 13 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren, a brother, Paul (Jane) Drake, of Xenia, two sisters-in-law Janet Drake, Xenia, and Ruth Nestor, Dayton, a brother-in-law, Carl Baker, Pennsylvania, by several nieces and nephews, and by many close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Ruth Conklin and Edna Baker, and by a brother, Robert Drake. Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Services will be held at 10am, Thursday, June 21, at Xenia Nazarene Church, 1204 W. Second St., Xenia, with Rev. Mark Atherton and Rev. Michael Hancock officiating. Visitation will be held from 6-8pm Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Xenia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Xenia Nazarene Church, in his memory. Condolences may be made to the family at www.NeeldFuneralHome.com. The family would like to especially thank the Memory Unit at Harmony for their love and care of Bill during these last few difficult months.

William F. "Bill" Drake, Sr.

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