William Harrison Noakes

William Noakes was called to rest by his heavenly Father on Good Friday morning, April 2, 2010. He was born in Rappahannock County, Virginia on April 22, 1923 to Elizabeth Noakes. As a young lad, he was sent to work for a prominent doctor in Sperryville, Virginia. During World War II, Bill enlisted and served as a Private First Class in the Army of the United States from June 1943 through January 1946. He received the ETO Service Medal with two bronze service stars; the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal; the Philippine Liberation Service Ribbon; the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. After World War II Bill met, and then married Ethel Mae Virginia Cook on November 30, 1946 in Falls Church, Virginia. Bill and Ethel lived in Falls Church, Virginia for several years before moving to the Merrifield, Virginia area, where they purchased a plot of land in the Williamstown subdivision. Bill worked tirelessly to build a beautiful home for his wife and three children Billy, Betty Ann and Gloria. In his early years, Bill often worked three jobs to provide for his family. Then, he learned the skill of brick mason. During his brick mason years Bill worked tirelessly in the evenings and on weekends to build the top floor of the First Baptist Church of Merrifield. It was then that he was appointed trustee of the church, an office which he served proudly. Everyone knew that they could count on Bill to fix whatever needed fixing at church and occasionally, to be the official “taste-tester” in the kitchen. Bill always had his family at the forefront of his mind and became a truck driver to support them. At one time, he owned, operated and leased three “boom” trucks. It was not unusual for Bill to drive overnight as for away as York, Pennsylvania, to pick up a special load of bricks for his customers. Bill loved his trucks and he kept the business going until advancing in age. Bill was a good natured, generous man who would give away all that he had. He was famous around town for his plenteous vegetable garden, from which people in the entire community could reap his great harvest. Each autumn he would drive his “boom” truck to Winchester, Virginia and load it with large wooden crates of apples, which he brought back and delivered free of charge to his many friends. And, everyone knew that Bill was the last of the great fishermen! Every year he organized fishing trips from New Jersey to the Chesapeake Bay, where he would catch coolers of every kind of fish in the waters, including shark. Bill would keep only two or three fish for himself then clean and give away the rest. He did not have an easy life, but lived it with courage, humor and generosity in his service and giving to others. Even in his declining years, if he thought a person needed help, he would willingly give it without concern for himself. Bill leaves to cherish his wonderful life a former wife, Ethel Mae Baltimore; son, William Nelson Noakes (Marilu),two daughters, Betty Ann Massenburg (Roy)and Gloria Cecelia Dutch (Delbert);seven grandchildren, Shawn,“BJ”, Michelle, Tracy, Candace,Kathryn and Cara; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Dora Powe and a host of other loved ones, family and friends.

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William Harrison Noakes

April 22, 1923 - April 2, 2010