William Frederick Peel Jr.

William ”Bill” Peel, Jr, of Key Largo, Florida passed away peacefully on May 26 at the age of 89. Bill was born December 24, 1932, the only child to William Frederick and Eleanor Downs Peel. He is survived by his wife Barbara, their four children: Billy (Jennifer), Vicki (Mack), Kathy (George) and Scott (Denise), 12 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Those preceding him in death include Teri Peel his daughter in law, and John Brahtz his cousin.

Mr. Peel attended American University and spent his Navy career training pilots how to survive water landings and was on the Navy swim team.

Bill and Barbara founded Red Coats, Inc. in 1960 and worked tirelessly during the last 62 years to cultivate and expand family businesses. Starting with the two of them working from their kitchen table, they grew the businesses to be one of the largest employers in the Washington Metropolitan area with more than ten thousand employees working in more than a dozen states.

He was a true entrepreneur and business professional, but most importantly he was a devoted family man, a mentor, and a friend to all. He will be dearly missed.

Visitation: 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at Joseph Gawler’s Sons Funeral Home, 5130 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016