Willie Gus “Bill” Drake

Willie Gus "Bill" Drake passed away peacefully on Friday, October 18, 2024 at the age of 97, surrounded by those he loved best. He was born May 23, 1927 on a farm near McKinney, Texas, the only son of Charlie and Bessie Drake. Bill has joyfully joined in Glory his wife and partner of 70 years, Mary Ellen Nolan Drake, his parents and five sisters. Bill married into the lively Nolan family of four sisters, their husbands and eight youngsters, most of whom could be prevailed upon to perform any time the family gathered, which was often. Bill, quite musical himself, took to the stage with younger sister-in-law Doris Jean to perform a song and dance duet at her last Galveston recital.

Bill joined the US Navy after graduating from McKinney High School in 1944 and proudly served in communications during WWII. Stationed at Camp Wallace in Galveston County, he made many trips to Galveston Island, where he met Mary Ellen Nolan. They married in 1946 and were together, until her passing in 2016.

After the Navy, Bill attended North Texas State University, graduating with a degree in accounting in 1951. He was employed at American National Insurance Company where his mastery of data processing and computers led to a career of forty years. Somewhere in those years, Bill found his second love on the golf course. After retiring in 1992, he and Mary Ellen enjoyed time with their family and spent many years traveling. Bill played golf and Mary Ellen turned out her many handcrafted gifts.

Cherishing his memory, while keeping alive the wit and wisdom Bill shared so freely, are his son, Robert Drake and wife Kathy, daughters, Cynthia Koebcke and Rebecca McHenry and husband Wayne, along with eleven grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. As beloved Uncle Bill, he will also be missed and remembered fondly by several nieces and nephews and by many dear friends.

The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to A Serene Hospice Services, the health care teams at HCA Webster and Mainland Hospitals and Dr. Daniel Piazza.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., with services to follow at 11:30 a.m., at Emken-Linton Funeral Home, 5100 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Texas City. Officiated by Pastor George Watson.

Gifts in memory of Bill Drake may be made to The Astros Foundation.