Willis Drake, Delphi Employee

Burt, NY - Willis O. "Willie" Drake, 46, a former Delphi Thermal Systems employee, died Saturday, Aug 16, 1997, at home.

Born Dec. 14, 1950, in Lockport, he was the son Huie and Amy Joseph Drake. He married Catherine Wilson on April 7.1972, in Newfane. He worked at Delphi Thermal Systems as a tube machine operator for 24 years, retiring this year.

He lived in the Newfane-Burt area most of his life. He was a member of AA, an avid sportsman, a competition sporting clay marksman and a motorcycle enthusiast.

In addition to his wife, surviving are three daughters: Amy Porter of Newfane; Lisa Drake and Maria Drake, both of Burt; and a son, Christian Drake. Also of Burt: two brothers, Lou (Helen) Drake of Michigan and Richard (Paulette) Drake of Newfane; two sisters, Carol Morris of West Virginia and Darlene Cash of Burt; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law James and Patricia Wilson of Lockport. Also survived by two grandchildren and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was predeceased by a son, Brian Drake and a brother, Charles Drake.

Friends may call from 1 to 5 pm at Ruthland-Corwin Funeral Home, 2670 Main St., Newfane, where Funeral services will be held at 11 am Monday. Burial will be at St. Charles Cemetery in Newfane.

Memorials to Roswell Cancer Institute would be appreciated by the family.

Source: email from Annette (Wilson) Harper, sister-in-law, on April 7, 2008. Transcribed from a newspaper clipping and reformatted.