Obituary of Billy Howard Blake

BillyBlake Billy Howard Blake Billy Howard Blake, age 80, of Holbrook Nursing Home and formerly of Big Bend Ridge of Upshur County, WV died Monday, December 25, 2006. Billy was born April 19, 1926 to Burl and Mae (Cottrill) Blake who preceded him in death. He was the last member of his immediate family having been preceded in death by four sisters, Edna Blake, Lovie Hinkle, Juanita Wooddell and Mildred Ramsburg and three brothers, Harold, Harry and James Blake and several nieces and nephews. Billy is survived by seventeen nieces and nephews, many great nieces and nephews, as well as great-great nieces and nephews. He is more particularly survived by his niece and nephew, Barbara and Ronald Davis of Weston, WV with whom he had made his home prior to his illness. Ball games were his favorite hobby and Billy spent hours watching and listening to any baseball, football or basketball game. If you needed a score, you only had to ask Billy, chances are he had it. Some people multi-task at their jobs but Billy did this for many years listening to 2 radio’s and watching TV. He definitely was a mountaineer fan and no one even talked while the game was going on. Billy’s first job was working at the G.C. Murphy Co., in Weston, where he was a stock boy where age didn’t matter at that time. If you were willing to work, you could. He then went to the Louie Glass Company where he preformed various jobs as bit boy, carry-in, crack off, and janitorial services and he remained with the company when it was sold to Princess House. Billy retired from the factory with 49-1/2 years service. During the time he was employed at the factory, Billy helped out part time doing various jobs for the Camden Theater, Weston Independent, Weston Democrat and Lewis County Printing. He moved to Upshur County in 1989 where a new experience awaited him. Billy learned to shoot and eventually claimed his first deer during the hunting season. Later he just enjoyed watching the wild life and loved to feed the deer, birds and squirrels through the winter months. The country was a haven for dogs, cats, ducks and rabbits and Billy helped take care of the animals people would drop off and helped find good homes for many of them, with the exception of Simon, a grey manx cat, who he could not part with and became his constant companion. At the request of Billy, his body will be cremated and a graveside service will be held Friday, January 5, 2007 at the Weston Masonic Cemetery with the Rev. Wease Day officiating. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polinstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Graveside Service Friday, January 5, 2007 11 AM Rev. Wease Day Weston Masonic Cemetery