THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 17, 1996 TAG: 9608170199
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 33 lines
William Joseph Sr. Decker, 72, of the 300 block of Duval St., a retired co-owner of Joe M. Decker Salvage Co., died Aug. 16, 1996, in a Norfolk hospital.
Mr. Decker was a native and lifelong resident of Norfolk. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Michael and Mary Zoby Decker and his youngest son, Anthony W. Decker. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Norfolk. Mr. Decker was a Marine veteran of World War II and was the band leader of the Marine Corp. Band in Hawaii. He was an accomplished musician and was the former musical director of the Lafayette Yacht Club. He played the bass and was the band leader of the Will Decker Trio, touring throughout the East Coast. He was a member of Sons and Daughters of the Cedars of Lebanon and a graduate of St. Mary's High School. Mr. Decker had a major speaking role in the movie ``Death of Ocean View.''
Survivors include a daughter, Mary Decker Vack of Oakton, Va.; three sons, William J. Decker Jr., Andrew W. Decker and Michael W. Decker, all of Norfolk; two brothers, Thomas Decker and Pete Decker, both of Norfolk; six grandchildren, Michelle Kraklow, Grace Vack, Lisa Snyder, Yvette Vack, Meghan Decker and Brittany Decker; and four great-grandchildren, Seth and D.J. Kraklow and Kristin and Zachary Snyder.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 7 p.m. Monday in Holy Trinity Catholic Church. The family will receive friends in the church after the mass. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, 1996, in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude's Childrens Research Hospital. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk, will be handling the arrangements.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB