Willard Richard Downey

Bill was an avid game hunter, fisherman, boater and above all else loved to work in the yard and among the flowers. He loved his orchid plants and loved to keep the yard in tip top shape.

He was employed at the US Post Office where he spent over 30 years of his life to helping deliver the mail. After his retirement he loved to sit and reminisce about the happenings.

During his working years he became interested in Depression Glass (glass made during 30, 40, 50). In fact he became so interested, he started collections for himself and had collected several sets over the years and encouraged other people to start collecting it. The passion and love grew into him becoming a show promoter, and for 29 years promoted 2 shows a year. Then he started with one yearly until 2014 when his health began to fail and turned the show over to Glen and Carolyn Robinson, and Larry and Brooke Newton. People would travel from all over the US to participate in the show and he loved both the dealers and the collectors.

Besides his fun things, Bill also served his country for almost 5 years where he saw action on the front lines in Burma, China and India. He had the misfortune of stopping some high powered ammunition and spent the next 6 months in the hospital. But you know the old saying “Nothing can keep a good man down” so after the long stay in the hospital he was able to move around, and being the type of person he was, started helping the other wounded soldiers in the hospital.

He was proud of his country and proud to have served it.

A time of visitation will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2017 from 1:30pm-3:30pm with the U.S. Army rendering military honors at 3pm at Baldwin-Fairchild Ivanhoe Chapel, 301 NE Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando, FL 32804. I-4 to Princeton exit. Take a right on Orange Ave. Turn right at the Greek Corner Restaurant (NE Ivanhoe Blvd.).

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be made to the WV Museum of American Glass, P.O. Box 574, Weston, West Virginia, 26452, 304-269-5006, [email protected]

Arrangements under the direction of Baldwin-Fairchild Goldenrod/WP, Winter Park, FL.