Mr. William “Willie” Edward Mears, 93, passed away at his home in Parksley on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. He was welcomed at heaven’s gate by his Lord and Savior and his beloved wife of 73 years, Jacqueline Douglas Bull “Jackie” Mears. Born Oct. 30, 1930, just outside of Parksley, in Muttonhunk, he was the son of the late Rooker W. Mears and the late Elizabeth Matthews “E.” Mears.
Willie graduated from Parksley High School, where he and Jackie met. They were married on Feb. 2, 1951. They made their home in Parksley, where they were both raised, and continued their families’ legacies of dedication to community, church, and family.
They worked side by side as the owners and operators of Accomac Candy Company and The Village Shop and were faithful members of Parksley Baptist Church for more than seven decades. Willie was a longtime member of the Kiwanis Club of Accomack and the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce, where he was a past president. He played an integral part in creating the chamber’s Seafood Festival on Chincoteague Island, which quickly became an annual success for the community.
Willie especially looked forward to road trips with Jackie, having visited nearly every state in the U.S. He adored his family and shared a special bond with his grandsons.
Willie is survived by his daughters, Beth Scott, of Melfa, and Alisin Jackson, of Parksley; grandchildren, Chase Scott (Katey), Luke Scott (Kristen), Zachary Figgs, Jakob William L. Jackson, and Sadie Elizabeth M. Jackson; and great-grandchildren, Lily, Trower, and Carrie Anne Scott and Camden and Lucas Scott; as well as special friends, Dave Parks, Parks Abrams, and Kim Saunders.
Funeral services will be held at Parksley Baptist Church on Friday, Sept. 20, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Mark Layne officiating. There will be a visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. The family will gather for private interment at the Parksley Cemetery.
Contributions in Willie’s memory may be made to Parksley Baptist Church, P.O. Box 375, Parksley, VA 23421 or to the Parksley Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 14, Parksley, VA 23421.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at
www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements are by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.
