William R. Draper, 84
MILFORD - William R. Draper passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford.
William was born in Milford on February 15, 1940, to the late J. Clyde and Ethel G. (Hollinger) Draper.
William graduated from Milford High School in the Class of 1958. He married his wife Mary Ann on September 17, 1961. He honorably served his Country in the US Marine Corps and then Reserves for 8 years. Following his time in the military, he worked at Safeway as a meat cutter for 31 ½ years. He loved the great outdoors, evident through his memberships with the NRA and Ducks Unlimited. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and crabbing. He was also a member of the Milford Moose Lodge #2316 and American Legion Post #3 of Milford.
He will be greatly missed by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ann (Davis) Draper; his children, Alan W. Draper (Heidi) and Randall S. Draper; his brother, Clyde W. Draper (Pat); and his grandchildren, Skylar Draper and Levi Draper. A celebration of William's life will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 NW Front St., Milford, DE 19963. Interment will follow at Milford Community Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at https://www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com/.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Delaware Hospice Center for their kind and compassionate care of William in his final days.
Donations are encouraged to be made to Nemour's Childrens Hospital, 1600 Rockland Rd., Wilmington, DE 19803; or to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.