William C. "Bill" Drake

William C. "Bill" Drake, 87, of Benton City, died at 12:07 a.m., Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, at SSM Saint Mary's Hospital - Audrain. Mr. Drake had been a resident of Missouri Veterans Home in Mexico.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, at Pickering Funeral Home with Rev. Darrel Hansen officiating. Visitation will be 1 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in Beaver Dam Cemetery.

Bill was born June 4, 1931 in Konawa, Oklahoma, the son of William Capy and Hazel (Craig) Drake. On June 27, 1953, in Hannibal, he married Charlotte Louise Garrett who preceded him in death on Dec. 19, 2006.

Mr. Drake was a veteran having served in the US Air Force. He spent 35 years with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as a repairman. He was a member of Southside Christian Church in Mexico.

Survivors include one son, Keith Drake and wife Jo Ann, Mexico; one daughter Vicki Welch and husband Larry, Mexico; five grandchildren, Joe (Heather) Welch and Cody (Jade) Welch, Mexico and Cory Welch, Boise, Idaho, Amy (Rob) Drake Ward, Smithville, and Ash Lea Drake, Kansas City; and six great grandchildren, Kenzi and Andrew Welch, Mexico, Emma Drake, Kansas City; Kasen Welch, Mexico, and Lucas and Roy Ward, Smithville.

In addition to his wife he was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Barty Drake and Roy Drake; two sisters, Elsie Goodridge and Katy Sanders; and one infant daughter, Karen Lynn.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be may be made to Missouri Veterans Home, Mexico.