John Draper

August 19, 1938 - November 26, 2016

John Preston Draper, Sr., a lifelong Williamstown, Ky. resident, died suddenly Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center – Grant County  at the age of 78. He was born Aug. 19, 1938 in Williamstown, the only child of the late Lawrence and Verlie Odor Draper and was a graduate of Williamstown High School and Georgetown College where he earned a BS degree in biology with minors in English and chemistry.  He was a thirty-ayear employee of the Kentucky Dept. of Health where he retired in 1999 as Manager of Food and Sanitation.  John was a member of the Gideons International and longtime member of the Williamstown Christian Church where he served as an elder, Sunday School teacher and choir member.  He was a charter lifetime member of the Ark Encounter where he served passionately as a transportation volunteer for the Amish contractors during the Ark construction in Williamstown.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Norma Jean Jeter Draper of Williamstown, one son, John Preston Draper, Jr., Williamstown, three daughters, Cindy (Clay) Barclay, Louisville, KY., Mary Ann Simpson, Dry Ridge, KY. and Diane Butler, Middletown, Oh., twelve grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Visitation from  4 – 6:00 P.M. Thursday, Dec. 1, at Williamstown Christian Church, 318 N. Main St., Williamstown, KY. 41097 with a Celebration of Life Service at 6:00 P.M. Thursday.  A reception will follow the service in the Church’s Fellowship Hall.  The committal service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, Dec. 2, at the Williamstown Cemetery under direction of Elliston-Stanley Funeral Home, Williamstown.  Memorials are suggested to Gideons International, P. O. Box 222, Williamstown, KY. 41097.