William Leonard Gootee, Sr

William Leonard Gootee, Sr. 86, of Golden Hill passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at Dorchester General Hospital. He was born in Golden Hill on March 3, 1923 and was a son of the late Goldsborough and Mildred Wallace Gootee.

Mr. Gootee attended schools in Golden Hill. On August 24, 1944 he married the former Irene Hughes. Mr. Gootee was a carpenter and for a few years worked for Joseph Belfiore in Silver Spring. Mr. Gootee loved his animals. He enjoyed hunting, gardening, guitar and many hand crafts. He was a member of St. Johns United Methodist Church in Golden Hill.

Mr. Gootee is survived by his wife Irene Gootee of Golden Hill, three children William L. Gootee, Jr. of Golden Hill, Robert Larry Gootee and wife Kathy of Cambridge and Linda C. Gootee Phillips and husband Jackie of Golden Hill, three grandchildren Bob Gootee, Shawn Wampler and Robin Dukes, five great grandchildren, two sisters Mildred Shorter and Polly Hubbard and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Mr. Gootee is preceded in death by two brothers Philip Gootee and Hoover Gootee and a sister Frances Paul.

Pallbearers will be Bob Gootee, Brian Dukes, Greg Wampler, Ricky Shorter, Dwayne Paul, Tony Belfiore, Nick Gootee and Jay Newcomb.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home in Cambridge with Rev. Gary Crouch and Rev. A. Delmer Willey, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Dorchester Memorial Park. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Johns United Methodist Church, c/o Doris Lewis, 3347 Golden Hill Road, Church Creek, MD 21622.