Preston Eugene Wollett Jr.

Preston was born October 29, 1924 delivered by a midwife at home in Hampden, Baltimore City, Maryland to Preston Eugene Wollett, Sr. [1903-1956] and Meadow Emma Parrish [1904-1973]. He was given the nickname of Billy the Bouncer by his maternal grandmother, because he weighed 11 pounds 3 ounces at birth. He was known as Bill through most of his life. He had an older sister, Doris Virginia Wollett [1922-2014] and a half sister, Joann Nettie Linaberg [1947-2022]. He quit school in the 8th grade to go to work to help the family.

He served in the Army during World War II in the 504th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion as a Corporal in Battery A from March 23, 1943 to January 13, 1946. Shortly after his return to Hampden he married Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Parks on February 22, 1946. They bought a house on Berkshire Road where they had two children, Steve and Judy. In 1954 they moved to Omaha Avenue in the Gardenville area of Baltimore City. After the move to Omaha Avenue he visited several Army buddies with the idea of starting a reunion. The reunions lasted until 2004. He and Betty moved to Bothwell Garth in Nottingham, Baltimore County, Maryland in May 1976. On December 10, 2018 he moved to Oak Crest Independent Living in Parkville, Baltimore County, Maryland. He died at the Oak Crest Long Term Care Facility on June 23, 2022.

He had many jobs through the years. He delivered flyers and he delivered film to be developed. He worked for a drug store at the counter and making deliveries. He worked at Taubman’s auto accessories store and Glenn L. Martin Company in Middle River. He worked for Kieckhefer Container Company, located on North Point Road and Quad Avenue. He was assigned to work with the inventor to put the Quadlock machine together for production. Once the machine was set up and tested, he was made the operator. After Kieckhefer’s he leased a Cities Service Station on the corner of Route 40 and Moravia Park Drive until Interstate 95 was started and he sold the lease. From there he went to work for the Noone Electric Company as an electrician, and was eventually promoted to Estimate/Supervisor. Through this promotion he was asked to apply for a position with Mercy Hospital, which he didn’t initially apply. Betty convinced him to apply and he was hired as Director of the Physical Plant in 1974. Four years later, he was promoted to Assistance Vice President in charge of 13 departments, including Security, maintenance, laundry, the parking garage. He retired from Mercy Hospital on January 1, 1987.

After he and Mom both retired, they joined Seven Oaks Senior Center and that’s when he went from Bill to Preston. Apparently there were so many Bill’s he decided to go by his real name, Preston. They both became very involved at the Center. The Center put on plays, had fashion shows, even some where the men dressed as women. Dad was involved in it all. He even helped his friend Ted cook meals for the Center. Dad was also the President for several years and he even started a charity fund for the needy. One of his favorite projects was helping Veterans through the Senior Center.

He also got involved in Mom’s church, Perry Hall United Methodist Church (PHUMC). Pastor Jeff asked him to be on several committees. He also volunteered to assist with dinners held at the Church by mostly cleaning the pots and pans, or doing whatever was necessary. He also volunteered at the annual Flea Markets. He loved helping at the Food Pantry on Friday’s and Saturday’s. He would do whatever he could to put a smile on everyone’s face. He even assisted several times a year when the state donated 600 pounds of food for distribution and recruited his son-in-law and grandsons to also participate. He was very sad when he had to give it up due to various physical issues. The clientele missed him as much he missed them.

Preston loved helping people in any way he could. He was always there to lend a helping hand to his neighbors, whether it was fixing their car or appliance, taking down trees, helping build a garage, or just listening. He helped one neighbor every Christmas Eve put together their five daughter’s Christmas presents. He played with the neighborhood kids, showed them tricks, or would just be their friend and confidant.

He lost his wife on May 16, 2008 and I don’t believe he ever got over the loss. He said he started every day by talking to her and he ended every day telling her about his day. They are now back together.

The family will receive friends on Monday, June 27, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9 PM at Schimunek Funeral Home (9705 Belair Road, Nottingham, MD 21236) where a funeral service will occur Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 11:00 AM. A committal service will occur Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 12:15 PM at Gardens of Faith Memorial Gardens, 5598 Trumps Mill Road, Baltimore, MD 21206.In lieu of flowers, contributions in Preston's memory may be made to Perry Hall United Methodist Church, 9515 Belair Rd., Nottingham, MD 21236 or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675 US, (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/)

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.schimunek-nottingham.com for the Wollett family.