William "Willie" P. Shoemaker

William “Willie” Preston Shoemaker, 84, passed away on Wednesday, November 23rd at his home in Eden, NC.

A memorial service will be held at 4pm Sunday, November 27th at Fair Funeral Home Chapel.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 3-4pm, at Fair Funeral Home Chapel.

Willie was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and considered his family as life’s greatest blessing. He married his high school sweetheart, Martha “Marty” Coggins Shoemaker in 1958.

Born August 17, 1938, in Thomasville, NC, he was the son of the late O.V. and Mabel Carter Shoemaker. He began his career with Mann Drug Store in Thomasville at age 16 as a “soda jerk”. He graduated from Thomasville High School in 1956 and entered the University of NC-Chapel Hill in 1956 in the Pharmacy School and graduated in 1960. While at UNC-CH, he was a member of the honor society Rho Chi and the Phi Delta Chi Pharmacy Professional Fraternity. He began his career as a Registered Pharmacist with Mann Drug Company in High Point, NC. In 1964 he moved to Eden to manage the new Mann Drug in Meadow Greens Shopping Center. Following a fire that destroyed this business in 1981, Willie and his long-time partner, Wendell Evans, opened their own business, Eden Drug Inc. on Stadium Drive in 1982 and continued his work there until retirement in 2006. He was known for giving out good advice as well as dispensing medicine with efficiency and good humor.

Willie’s many civic accomplishments included serving on the board of the Salvation Army, Chamber of Commerce, and Leaksville Jaycees. He was a member of Leaksville United Methodist Church where he served on the Administrative Board and Usher committee. He was also a member of the Piedmont Rod and Gun Club and an avid fisherman with this group for many years. Willie’s commitment to his family and friends was matched only by his passion for Tar Heel basketball. He watched the Tar Heels win four national championships and never tired of the thrill each game brought. Forever the positive attitude with his “we’ve still got time” … or “just wait till next year!” He was also known and loved for his sense of humor. His four grandsons were the joy of his life and they enjoyed many games at Smith Center with him.

Survivors are his wife of 64 years, Marty, his high school sweetheart; daughters, Kathryn Rose Shoemaker of Max Patch, NC, and Kim S. LaPrad and husband Jack of Powder Springs, GA. Also surviving are four grandsons who affectionately called him “Nana”, Corey N. Winstead, Wil LaPrad, Carter LaPrad, and Gunter LaPrad, and his four great-granddaughters, Mallory LaPrad, Virginia LaPrad, Whitney LaPrad, and Lillian Winstead.

He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Pat Shoemaker and June Ritchie; nieces and nephews, Greg Shoemaker, Tom Witty, Jim Witty, Sam Witty, Tim Ritchie, Lori Ritchie; goddaughter, Kristen Christman.
Fair Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Leaksville United Methodist Church Endowment Fund or the charity of choice.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com