William Edward Paige Sr.

William Edward Paige, Sr. was born in Gloucester, Virginia on September 20, 1928 to the late Senie and Monroe Paige. William’s six siblings died several years ago. He departed this life on September 11, 2012. William’s formal education was received in the Gloucester County Schools. Bill, as he was fondly known by many people, accepted Christ at an early age and he was baptized and became an active member of First Baptist Church. In later years, when he moved to Baltimore, Maryland, William became a member of Gethsemane Baptist Church, where he was an usher and he also sang on the choir. As the years progressed, illness prevented Bill Paige, Sr. from attending church regularly. On February 28, 1947, William married his childhood sweetheart, Evelyn Holmes in Gloucester, Virginia. Over the years, William and Evelyn became the proud parents of Patricia, William Jr., Shelby and Kevin. William Sr. constantly encouraged his children to develop positive morals. Additionally, he helped them to realize the importance of obtaining a good education. Eventually, William and Evelyn, along with their first two children, Patricia and William Jr. moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where Bill became an employee at the Leidy Chemical Company for more than thirty years and he also became a part-time barber. As a result of Evelyn’s encouragement and support, William Sr. established Paige’s Trucking Company. Daddy made sure to take his family to Gloucester, Virginia, Markhaven Beach or Virginia Beach for relaxing, exciting and invigorating summer vacations. Also during the summers, Bill’s three sons looked forward to traveling with him in his tractor trailer, because they had numerous positive experiences on the road with Daddy. Bill was known to steam delicious crabs, and as a consequence, friends would frequently come to the Paige’s home unexpectedly to participate in impromptu crab feasts on the weekends. William often told others that life did not owe him anything because he had lived and enjoyed his life to the fullest. William is survived by: his wife, Evelyn; one daughter, Patricia; three sons, William Jr. (Sally Paulette), Shelby Martin, Sr. (Pamela Judy) and Kevin; two grandchildren, Shelby Martin, Jr. and Myela Autumn; a niece, Vivian Jackson; other nieces, nephews a longtime friend of the family, James Crowder; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

William Edward Paige Sr.

September 20, 1928 - September 11, 2012