William Dunker Draper

November 16, 2024, William Dunker Draper, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed into the hands of God and we here, who loved him are truly heartbroken. William (Bill) Draper, first son of Herbert (Bill) Kinsley Draper, Jr. and Marie Priscilla (Dunker) Draper, was born on December 15, 1935 in Canton, MA. In time he was joined by his sister Ursula and brother Charles. It gives us great comfort to know that he is now reunited with them and all those beloved family and friends who have preceded him. Bill graduated from George Mason High School in Falls Church, VA in1953 and attended Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA before entering the Air Force as an In-Flight Photographer serving both in Japan at Itazuke Tower and Wichita Falls, TX. While in Texas he became friends with Jon Reese who introduced him to his older sister Judith K. Reese, a newly graduated RN from Ironton, MO. After a whirlwind courtship, he and Judy were married on April 15, 1960 in Needham, MA. Bill took up carpentry, and Judy worked as a nurse. They made their home in Needham where they welcomed four children: Jonathan, Jennifer, Barbara and Amy. In 1973 The Drapers moved from Massachusetts to Missouri where Bill, assisted by family and friends, built a large ranch house on a hill, surrounded by 5 acres of land in Acadia. He and Judy would live in this house for 43 years, raising their kids, their crops and a menagerie of dogs, cats, pigs and chickens, all of whom he adored. As a builder, Bill was meticulous, and he passed on his work ethic and construction skills not only his son Jonathan, but to the many students he instructed at the Arcadia Valley Vo-tech and Unitec Career Center in Bonne Terre, MO. Bill Draper was a man of faith who loved God and cherished his wife and family. And although he liked to affect a gruff exterior, even a casual acquaintance would reveal a warm, openhearted person who enjoyed handing out a good natured ribbing as much getting one in return. A gifted athlete and tough competitor, Bill tried his hand at it all: football. swimming, track and field, softball, hockey and golf. He enjoyed coaching young people, first in football and later in track and field. He was a voracious reader. Shelves of books lined the walls and when he and Judy, now long since retired, downsized to a snug little home in Farmington those books were re-homed, only to be replaced with more volumes. Now, he has set aside his earthly burdens and the frustrations of advancing age to walk in the light and love of God. And we, his family and friends hold him in our hearts and cling to the memories of a full life, well lived and overflowing with love. William Dunker Draper, age 88, is survived by Judy Draper, his wife of 64 1/2 years. His children: Jonathan and Alicia Draper, Jennifer and Tom Dettmer, Amy and Erin Montgomery, Barbara and Eric Givens. His beloved grandchildren: Tom Draper his wife Christie Barnes and their son Paul, Chelsea Draper, Andrew and Caitlyn Dettmer, Thomas Dettmer and his fiancée Madeline, Mackie and Nicole Dettmer, Tyler and Richelle Montgomery and their son Adrian, Reese Montgomery and his fiancée Alexandra and Ella Montgomery. He is also survived by sisters and brother in law: Linda Draper, Barbara and Dean Adams and many cherished nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Bryson Funeral Home Chapel with Elders Mark and Larry Sutton officiating. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. prior to the services. Interment with full military honors will be in Arcadia Valley Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38101 or St.jude.org. Memorial envelopes are available at the funeral home.