On Saturday February 24, 2007 at 8:30P.M. God said, ''Bill, you can come on home now''. William Drake departed this life at St. Elizabeth's Nursing Center, after experiencing an eighty-six year prosperou journey. William, of Cuban descent, was born November 6, 1920, in Greene County, North Carolina, to the late Grover and Hattie Drake Jackson. William only had a sixth grade education, but he found favor with God and man and was able to accomplish some amazing things. He fought in WWII in the U.S. Army and he played Professional Baseball lin the National Negro League. William married his childhood sweetheart, the late Thelma Purcell Speight. Bill and Thelma resided in Wilson, North Carolina for a time. Two sons were added to the union. Wiolliam was affectionately known as ''Bill''. He accepted Christ at an early age. The Drakes attended St. Jude Holiness Church in Wilson, North Caroliona. Bill and Thela moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where four more sons and one daughter were added th the union. After moving to Maryland, Bill became the proprietor of the Drake's Seafood Market, On Sharp St. He was also employed at Cat's Paw Rubber Company for over twenty years, until the closing of the plant. Bill became employed by the Baltimore City Housing Authority until he retired. He was a firm believer in being the head of his home as provider and leading by example. After a season at Mount Sinai Holiness Church in Cherry Hill under the late Sadie Wilson, the Drakes moved their membership to the home organization James Tabernacle Apostolic Holiness Church under the late W. R. Burgess Sr., currently being pastored by his son, Elder Steve Burgess. Brother Drake, as he was known in church, was so anointed to play the washboard that he would play himself happy. In 1967, Bill saw the need for someone to take up time with the male youth in the Cherry Hill Community, thus pioneering the first every Boy Scout troop, where he trained the youth to be responsible and to become men, and they respected him as ''Mr. Bill.'' His efforts and accomplishments did not go unnoticed by those in positions of authority, and he was offered a full time position in Mayor Schaefer's foffece. For a period, he was employed at Goucher College, where he acquired a full scholarship for his dughter Cynthia. After many years in Baltimore, Maryland, and raising all seven of their children, Bill and Thelma moved back to Wilson, North Carolina, where they bough a home and enjoyed life. Bill was not a stay-at-homehusband, he gained employment with the Wilson County Parks and Recreation Department. He found joy again working with the youth and imparting wisdom to them as they ran through the rec. Bill loved to drive the train on Saturdays and Sundays. Bill and Thelma celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary while enjoying life in Wilson. After Thelma became ill, they moved back to Baltimore, Maryland to be near their son. Bill at Primrose Place, where he made many, many friends. After the passing of Thelma, he traveled with his children and grandchildren to several destinations living the life he so deserved. He had a way with words that would make you laugh yourself silly. Bill had a revelation of Proverbs 13:22, a good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children; and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Bill understood that it is going to be his seed's seed that will have to first accept Christ as their Personal Savior, and know God, for it godly men who would reap the sinner's wealth. He leaves to celebrate his memory: six sons, William Jr., Donald Sallie, Douglas Ernestine, Milton Carlester of Baltimore, MD, Timothy of Sarasota FL and Terry of Elm City, North Carolina; his one and only daughter, Cynthia Drake Alvin; a devoted friend, Lucy Grate; brother-in-law, Hubert O.Speight of North Carolina; sister-in-law, Geraldine Boyce; ten grandsons, Antonio Dowell, Marcus Drake, Donald Drake, Terrell Drake, Kevin Rock,, Julius, Jeremy, Jerell, Demetruis and Jerian Hardy; four granddaughtetrs, Qushawna and Tiffany Drake, Deborah Garner and Chrishunda Sinclair; sixteen great-grandchildren, three nephews, William Hayes Francine, Jimmie Hayes of Baltimore and David Seight of Wilson, North Carolina; four nieces, Norma Jean Fortune of Baltimore, Maryland, Naomi Byrd of Baltimore, Maryland ,Gwendolyn Murrain and Patsy Webb of Wilson, North Carolina; two cousins, Clayton Drake of Norfolk, Virginia and Esther Drake Smith of Newark, New Jersey; special friends of the family, Cecelia Bates and Bertha Mae Mattison; and a host of other relatives and friends.