Frank William Blake II

Sgt. Frank William Blake II, also known as Frankie Bill, 75, prideful owner and resident of “Pussy Hotel”, in Parksley, VA, walked graciously into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, November 1, 2017.

Born May 4, 1942 in Philippi, WV, he was the son of the late Reverend Frank William Blake and Beryl “Maxine” Lawhorn Blake.  Frank proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps, owned and operated Blake Water & Sewage, and became notorious for his talents as a private investigator. 

With a mind that was always moving, there were few times you’d ever see Frank idle, and never without a funny joke or an entertaining story to share.  He enjoyed spending his days working in his garden; walking the fields of Sterling Farm searching for shards, arrowheads, and old bottles; deer hunting; watching sunsets and wildlife from his kitchen window, especially the otters, herons, and bald eagles; saving turtles along the back roads; browsing Pinterest; working on his beloved Nicorette sculpture; visiting his dear friends, Walt and Linda Wessells, Kenny Roberts, Ben and Suzanne Justis, and Sam and Linda Brown; and last but not least, the day was complete with his nightly ritual of dinner (which often included fresh sliced tomatoes, corn on the cob, and vanilla ice cream) during his favorite shows, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.  Frank’s green thumb yielded a bountiful garden, and he always looked forward to sharing his vegetables, homemade pepper jelly, strawberry fig jam, yeast rolls, and fresh eggs.

Franks greatest loves were his children; his Lord; his church, Calvary United Methodist; the U.S. Marine Corps; visits from his daughter, Ann and her children, Olivia and Andrew; and boobs.  Frank was, without a doubt, one of a kind and to know him, was to love him.  He will be greatly missed by family and friends, as well as his chickens, his Muscovy duck, who he sweetly named “Ugly”, and the many stray cats that found their way to his back porch.  Frank was proud of the fact that he died a God-fearing man, sober, and no longer using foul language. 

“A friend gives hope when life is low, a friend is a place when you have nowhere to go, a friend is honest, a friend is true.  A friend is precious, a friend is you.”           

Frank is survived by five children, Frank W. Blake III and Michele, J. Warren Blake and Tracy, Ann Blake (Holmes), Hunter B. Blake, and Heather Wood Blake; sister, Betsye B. Russell and John; and five grandchildren, Sara and Savannah Blake, Amanda Denton, and Olivia and Andrew Holmes.  In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Andrew “Brian” Blake.

Funeral services, with military honors, will be held at the Calvary United Methodist Church on Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., with the Reverends Barbara Justis and Elizabeth Freund officiating.  Private interment will be held in the Edgehill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary UMC, P.O. Box 1254, Parksley, VA 23421.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.