William Hansel Drake, of Falkville, Alabama passed away Thursday, May 9, 2019. Hansel was born September 17, 1925 to the late William Amel and Nora Wilhite Drake of Vinemont, Alabama. He was a U.S. Army Veteran; Co. A, 151st Combat Engineer Battalion, who served in Europe during WWII. Hansel lived in Alabama until 1970 when he moved to Oklahoma with his wife, the late Lottie Mae Teague Drake, and his five younger sons. During his time in Tulsa, OK he worked for Vincent Radiator Co., Auto Air Service, and Drake Air, Inc. He was known to his friends and family in Oklahoma as “Bill” or “Papa Bill.” He returned to Alabama to live in 2015.
Hansel was preceded in death by his wife, Lottie Mae; his parents, William Amel and Nora Wilhite Drake; brothers, Euel Drake and Wallace Drake; sisters Naomi Cartledge, Frances Carlton and Marie Pattillo.
Hansel is survived by sons Roger (Paula) Drake of Franklin, TN, Randy (Cherri) Drake of Cullman, AL; Vann (Connie) Drake of Tulsa, OK; Butch Drake of Tulsa, OK; Jeff (Tina) Drake of Denver, CO; John (Sharon) Drake of Vinemont, AL; Paul Drake of Tulsa, OK; Eric Drake of Tulsa, OK; brother Charles (Ellen) Drake of Vinemont, AL and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and caregivers.
Services will be on Monday, May 13, 2019 at noon at Moss Service Funeral Home in Cullman, AL. The family will receive guests prior to the service beginning at 10:30 am. Interment will be at Flint Creek Cemetery, Vinemont, AL. The service will be officiated by Carlos Wilhite, Vinemont, AL.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the "Hansel Drake Memorial Scholarship Fund" at Wallace State Community College - Wallace State Future Foundation, P.O. Box 568, Hanceville, AL, 35077.
