William R. Drayton

He was born on September 30, 1923 to parents Luke and Anna Drayton.

William was predeceased by both of his parents, Luke and Anna, his sister Rebecca Sheppard, and his brothers Jacob and Esau Drayton, Samuel Drayton, William Mustopher of Savannah, GA, and Reuben Drayton of Whitehill, SC. He is also predeceased by his first wife Lessie Drayton, and his second wife Marie Drayton.

William graduated from Stanton High School and married Lessie Drayton with whom he had three beautiful children. He was later remarried to Marie Drayton.

In his younger years, William served on the trustee board and worked as a deacon for his church, the Wayman Chapel Ministries. Mr. Drayton had a career in the Navy as an aircraft engineer. He had a great passion for his family, fishing, and gardening.

William is survived by his son William W. Drayton of St. Augustine, FL; his daughters Gloria Drayton and Odessa Drayton, both of Jacksonville, FL; his grandchildren Larry Powell, Nicole (Octavius) Harris, John Moten Jr., William W. Drayton Jr., and Whitney Drayton; his great-grandchildren Joshua, Saraya, Serenity, Ja’len, Calaya, Joel, JaKayla, and Sarah. He also leaves behind to cherish his memory his sister Annie Mae Spivey and his step-children Gwendolyn Scott, Vanessa Sumlar, Austin Steele, and Alexander Steele Sr.

The family of William will receive guests from 5-7 pm Friday January 1, 2016 at Hardage-Giddens Town & Country Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205. A funeral service will be held Saturday January 2, 2016 at 11 am at Wayman Chapel Ministries, 8855 Sanchez Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32217. The interment service will be held Monday January 4, 2016 at 1 pm at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218.