Walter Blake

WILSON - Walter Woodard Blake, 84, died Friday, February 5, 2016.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Tuesday, February 9, at 11 am at First United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 4-7 pm on Monday, February 8, at the home.

Walter was born in Meriden, CT to Hadley Woodard and Everett Blake on April 18, 1931. Although born in Meriden, he was a true Wilsonian. He attended UNC at Chapel Hill and The Citadel. When he returned to Wilson, he went to work for his uncle, Thomas Hadley Woodard, at Anderson, Deans, and Woodard. He finished his career in insurance with the John Hackney Agency.

Walter was very active in the community and was a loyal member of First United Methodist Church, where he served as Scout Master of Troop 6 for 3 years. His real passion was coaching and leading the youth of Wilson with the Midget League Football program. He coached the Park Avenue Packers for 25 years. For this, he received the Pop Warner Award. He was a member of the Jaycees and Kiwanis. In 1964, he received the Jaycee's Man of the Year Award. He served as president of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, Wilson Country Club, and Heart of Wilson Downtown.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betsy "Boo" Miller Blake; his daughter, Hadley Blake Daniel and her husband, Gene Taylor Daniel, of Clinton, and their children Blake, Cameron, and Taylor; his son, Walter Woodard Blake, Jr. and his wife, Eliza Clement Blake of Wilson and their children Wood, Mason, and Mollie; and his youngest daughter, Betsy Miller Blake of Raleigh; also his loyal dog, Jackson.

In lieu of flowers, please consider the Endowment Fund or the Everett Blake Scholarship Fund, both at First United Methodist Church, PO Box 1423, Wilson, NC 27894-1423.

The family will receive friends immediately after the service in Asbury Hall.