William Eric Drake, 82

William Eric Drake, 82, of Hendersonville, NC, passed from this life into the next on Good Friday, April 3, 2015 at Carolina Village after a long illness and a slow decline.
Bill, as he was known, was born November 27, 1932 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of the late Helen Ayres Drake and George Eric Drake. His only sibling, a brother, John Ayres Drake, also preceded him in death.
Bill was a vice president in charge of sales, traveling the world selling chemical products, and later, food service equipment. He had a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Rice University and a master’s degree in international business from the University of Detroit. He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserves for 20 years, and a proud member of the Special Forces. Learning and traveling were his two biggest passions-besides his family of five children and his wife, Cindy. Together they raised their children in various parts of the United States and in Greece and Venezuela and encouraged each one to his/her full potential.
As a faithful Christian, he was a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Hendersonville and a frequent visitor of St. Andrew Anglican in Edneyville, a lay reader at both churches. One of his favorite things was his weekly attendance at the Tuesday morning men’s breakfast group of St. James. In the past, he had been involved in constructing homes with HAC and working with Friends of the Library. His years of working in New York City led to a love of the theatre, and in his later years, he performed in many local amateur productions, including those of the Belfry Players.
He is survived by his wife Cynthia of 63 years; daughters Libby Ordeman and husband Bob of Brownsville, Texas; Janet Drakeand husband Steve Catron of Istanbul, Turkey; Carol Drake of Brooklyn, New York; Nancy Stechshulte and husband Tom of Teaneck, New Jersey; one son, Dr. John Drake and wife Brenda of Fort Wayne, Indiana. He also leaves behindnine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren who affectionately called him, “Colonel”.
A memorial service for the life of Bill Drake will take place in July at St. James Episcopal Church at a date to be announced.
An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of the arrangements.