Mr. Billy J. Trader passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 5, 2020, after a courageous seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Born Jan. 30, 1931, in Hacksneck, he was the son of the late Almer U. Trader and the late Pearl Robinson Trader. He graduated from Central High School in 1949.
Mr. Trader married his “million-dollar baby from the five & dime,” Caroline Lee Custis, Sept. 9, 1951. He served his country in the U.S. Army in the Korean War (discharged in April 1954); retired from Delmarva Power & Light Company as a supervisor in 1995, following a 36-year career; and was a member and former deacon of Onancock Baptist Church.
Mr. Trader was a lifetime member of Onancock Volunteer Fire Department, having joined in 1954. He was awarded Fireman of the Year in 1977 and was instrumental in negotiating the purchase of the land where the firehouse is today. He supported high school athletics, serving on the “Chain Gang” at Onancock High School football games for over 20 years. He took pride in his backyard gardens, providing great enjoyment through the years for himself and his wife, along with neighbors and friends.
In addition to his loving wife, survivors include his two daughters, Cinda Trader Browne and Michele L. Trader, both of Newport News, Va.; his wife’s sisters and brothers, Annie C. Johnston, of Accomac, Linda C. Bullis, of Delmar, Del., Cecil S. “Scotty” Custis (Louise), of New Castle, Del., and Linwood T. “Tommy” Custis (Liliane), of Smyrna, Del. Mr. and Mrs. Trader were guardians of Linda, Scotty, and Tommy through their teenage years. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and two cousins, Rose Ann Moore, of Keller, and Mary Helen Miller Ward, of Exmore.
Welcoming Billy in heaven, are his parents; his brother, William Randolph Trader; his wife’s brothers, Floyd R. Custis Jr., Roland R. Custis, George C. Custis, and Donald M. Custis; special sister-in-law, Frances Custis; niece, Diane Trader Griffiths; his namesake nephew, Billy J. Trader; and his son, Timothy Page Trader, who passed 65 years before his father.
The family wishes to thank Riverside Shore Hospice and two very special ladies, Geneen Sturgis and Calissa Cropper, for their loving care.
Funeral services will be conducted from the chapel of the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home Thursday, July 9, 2020, at 2 p.m., with Pastor Andy Cobb officiating. Interment was held in the Fairview Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Mr. Trader’s name be made to Riverside Shore Hospice, P.O. Box 616, Onley, VA 23418 or to Onancock Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 28, Onancock, VA 23417.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
