Alvin Pernell Wake Sr. (a.k.a. “Billy” and “Bear”) was born in King and Queen County on Sept. 29, 1925 (1926 is recorded on his birth certificate).
He was the eldest son of Pernell and Mary Holmes Wake and the brother to 10 siblings — Ethel, Carolyn, Ella, Carstella, Geraldine, Addison, Robert, Emma Jane, Julia and Ann.
He enlisted in the military during World War II and fought in the South Pacific.
Billy was a big, strong man and gifted athlete, thus the nickname “Bear.” He often talked about playing baseball for the Army while he was overseas. He was one of three Black players on his team.
After returning home from the war, he married Helen Iverson on Aug. 16, 1947. From this union seven children were born — Barbara, Vinson, Alvin Jr., Gilbert, Joan, Sharon and Neil. After a long illness, Helen died in 1993. In 2000 he married Theodosia Lockley Griffin, who died in 2010.
One of the greatest honors of his life was bestowed upon him in 2021 when he became the Grand Marshall of the first ever Juneteenth Day celebration in the county. He received many awards for his military service and his service to the church and community. He was the third African-American to sit on the Middlesex County Planning Commission, where he served until 2021 when his health declined. He was a very friendly guy who loved to talk to people, friends and strangers alike. He was a very friendly guy who loved to talk to people, friends and strangers alike.
As the patriarch of the Wake family, Billy was dearly loved and cherished. He leaves to mourn his passing, sons, George V. Wake of Bowie, Md., Alvin Wake Jr. (Darlene) of Upper Marlboro, Md., Gilbert E. Wake (Rose) of Woodbridge, Neil E. Wake (Tica) of Wake; daughters, Barbara W. Holmes (Everett) of Bowie, Md., Joan Wake of Lanham, Md. and Sharon Wake of Richmond; 14 grandchildren, one of which he raised, Robbie Spencer (deceased); 23 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Carstella West and Emma Douglass; step-children, Carolyn, Cornell, Aldon, and Irene Griffin; and several nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
A wake is planned for 2-6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15 at J.K. Redmond Funeral Home in Shacklefords. Funeral services will be conducted at Grafton Baptist Church in Hartfield on Sunday, Feb. 16. Visitation will be 1-2 p.m. and the service will begin at 2 p.m.
