William ‘Bill’ Gail Conrad

Bill was born Monday, June 13, 1938, in Pickens, a son of the late Ordie Conrad and Agnes Geyer Conrad Light. On Dec. 23, 1958, in Mill Creek, he was married to the former Zita Levon Rader, who survives. They had celebrated 66 years of marriage.

Also left to cherish Bill’s memory are four children, William “Billy” Conrad Jr. and wife, Bonnie of Tequesta, Florida, Shelley Downey and husband, Jess, of Grafton, Marty Conrad and wife, Lori, of Mill Creek, and Brandy Conrad Wildman of Mill Creek, one sister, Monna Markley of Waldorf, Maryland; 10 grandchildren, Chad, Paige, Brooke, Lacey, Lexie, Rylee, Oleg, Chase, Patrick and Bailey; six great-grandchildren, Evan, Tyler, Jaxon, Sadie, Cameron and Scarlett; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Bill in death besides his parents were six siblings, Ordie Jr., Grace Marie, Betty, Juanita, Jim; and Randall; one son-in-law, Carus Lanham; a stepfather, Ray Light; and his in-laws, Texie and Gail Rader.

Bill was a graduate of Pickens High School with the class of 1956. He had served in the U.S. Navy achieving the position of E8 Electrician’s Mate Sr. Chief Petty Officer and was proud to say he served 20 years, one month, and 27 days.

Following his time in the Navy, Bill returned to Mill Creek and opened Bill’s Place on the Adolph Road in 1983, which he owned and operated for 40 years. During the time he operated Bill’s Place, he also served the Randolph County Board of Education as a school bus driver for nineteen years. In 1999, he was the victim of an accident while driving his empty school bus which left him as paraplegic. Through all of this, Bill maintained a positive mental attitude or “PMA” as he referred to it.

Bill had enjoyed tinkering around in his woodshop and building things for his family and friends as well operating his backhoe. Following his accident, he enjoyed supervising and adding his knowledge to projects as he was unable to do the work himself. He was a wonderful provider for his family who was willing to help anyone he could, and he will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held at Randolph Funeral Home on Friday, July 18, from noon until 2 p.m., the funeral hour. Pastors Harold and Deborah Swecker will officiate, and interment will follow in Brick Church Cemetery where member of H.W. Daniels Post 29, American Legion, Tygarts Valley Post 3647, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Naval Honor Guard will conduct full military honors.

The Randolph Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for William “Bill” Gail Conrad.

Send online condolences to the family at www.therandolphfuneralhome.com.