Uncle Will - Obituary

uddenly, on Monday, May 25, 2009, our beloved "Uncle Will" departed this life. He leaves to mourn: his sister, Pauline Graham (Romus-deceased), his brother, Roger Booker (Shirley), his special nephew, Tyrone Oliver, a devoted niece and nephew-in-law, Donna Rivers (Charles). Beautiful memories of Uncle Will will linger in the hearts of his loving aunt, Mattie Booker, his nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends, Thursday, June 4, 2009 at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, P.A. 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 from 10am until time of service at 11am. Interment Washington National Cemetery. Obituary Suddenly on Monday, May 25, 2009 our beloved Will Booker, 80 Years old, departed this life quietly in his sleep. Everyone fondly called him Uncle Will. He was born on December 19, 1928 to Ed and Pearlstella Booker. He was one of six children. Uncle Will was born and raised in Buckingham, Virginia. He drove trucks for various trucking companies. He later moved to Washington, DC. Where he was employed as a mechanic, a janitor, and later as a laborer at construction companies within the area. Uncle Will was known for his charming smile. He would often be seen smiling and humming as he helped others complete various tasks. He spent many years living in the NW and NE areas of Washington, D.C... He went to live with his brother Judge and his wife and Dot Booker in Seat Pleasant, MD. While living there he fell on the ice and was in a coma for three months. But God was not through with him yet. He recovered from the injury and went on to be a wonderful help to Judge and Dot. Judge died on August 27, 1997. Shortly, thereafter, Uncle Will and Dot moved to Temple Hills, Maryland with her daughter Donna and Son-In-Law Charles (Chuck) Rivers. While in Temple Hills, Uncle Will joined Christ Apostolic Deliverance Temple Church, where he was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ on November 14, 2002. He was known as the community gardener. He loved giving family and neighbors the tomatoes and squash that he grew. He always loved to serve and to help out. Uncle Will could often be seen sweeping and vacuuming the Church and washing the door window with that sweet smile on his face. He was ordained as a Deacon on June 14, 2008. The youth of the Church loved hanging out with Uncle Will. Because he was always in suits and they would lovingly call him “Cat Daddy.” He also, loved to go on trips and loved fishing. The first time he went to Virginia Beach with Chuck and Donna, he stood with his feet in the water, with tears running down his face. When we asked what was wrong he said, “This is the first time that I have ever seen the Atlantic Ocean.” When he went on his cruise to Jamaica he came back and told his brother Roger that we had taken him to AFRICA! I gently told him that no, we had gone to Jamaica. He said, “Well, I thought it had to be Africa, because I had never seen so many black people in one place before.” Uncle Will touched the hearts of many people that he came in contact with. Always with that gentle smile. If Donna or Chuck were not available, he could always count on his brother Roger, his niece Jackie, or Diania to take him to his doctor's appointments. Uncle Will had no children, but fondly called Tyrone Oliver, his son. He always depended upon Tyrone to help care for him. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Thomas Johnson, Frances Bullock, Mable Walker.