William H. Blake's Obituary
Decatur-William H. Blake, 97, of St. Louis, Missouri, formerly of Decatur, passed away Monday, August 9, 2010 in his residence with his family by his side.
Services to celebrate Mr. Blake's life will be 2 p.m. Monday, August 16, 2010 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the services. Entombment will be in the Star of Hope Mausoleum at Graceland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, the Salvation Army, or Rotary International. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Mr. Blake, a native of Terre Haute, Indiana, attended Knox College and graduated from the University of Illinois. He married his artist-wife Helen Elizabeth Platt in 1937. She preceded him in death. A naval commander in the Pacific during World War II, he returned to service during the Korean War. Although a talented pianist, he worked years as an educator and became Dean of Men at Catawba College. Mr. Blake became active and a leader at his credit industry. He became Executive Vice President and Managing Officer of the forty thousand member National Retail Credit Association in St. Louis, Missouri, until his retirement when he moved to Decatur, Illinois.
Mr. Blake is well-known to Decatur where he enjoyed meeting his friends at Rotary, supporting the Salvation Army as a member of the board, and serving as an elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Blake leaves behind two sons, William H. Jr. of Washington, D.C. and Allen H. of St. Louis, Missouri, and seven grandchildren.
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