William “Bill” E. Draper, 89, Marion, went to be with the Lord in his home at 3:20 a.m. on Monday, January 9, 2017. He was born in Gas City on October 23, 1927, to Harry Fort and Mae Draper. Bill met Irma Jean “Jeannie” Ballinger when she was a waitress in Upland, and they were married on January 24, 1948.
Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He participated in Operation Crossroads ordered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to test the effect of the Atomic Bomb on naval vessels and conducted at Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands. He retired from the Marion VA Medical Center after serving as an ambulance and semi-truck driver for 37 ½ years. Bill was also a former volunteer fireman with Mill Township for 25 years and former fire chief for 10 years. He was a member of Jonesboro Friends Church.
Some of his favorite interests included woodworking, hunting squirrel, and taking short trips with his wife. Bill was a devoted family man, and his family was his life.
He is survived by Jeannie, his wife of 68 years; children, Rita (Larry) Steele, Jonesboro, Allen (Geri) Draper, Greenville, Tennessee, and Deborah (Mike) Bowser, Marion; grandchildren, Rachael (Rod) Brockhaus, Scott (Renee) Cole, Amber (Bobby Bush) Simpson; 8 step-grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 20 step-great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Also preceding him in death were his son, David Draper; grandson, Adam Keith; and brother, John Fort.
Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, Storey Chapel, 400 E. Main St., Gas City.
Services are at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at Jonesboro Friends Church, 513 S. Water St., Jonesboro, IN. Pastor Mark McKnight will be officiating with burial following at Gardens of Memory.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Jonesboro Friends Church.
Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.