William B. Venables, Jr. was born June 11, 1931 in Laurel and died April 8, 2021.His wife Joan Groton Venables preceded him in 2018. His father William Benjamin Venables, Sr., and mother Grace Edna Venables also preceded him. He is survived by his brothers; former Senator Robert Venables and his family and Bruce Venables and his family. He had two sisters now deceased, Barbara Phillips, and Betty LeCates. His many nieces and nephews loved him dearly.
Bill lived in Laurel his entire life and attended Laurel High School. He left school to join the Navy during the Korean War in 1948. He was a Sonar Seaman aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Brush of the North Korea Coast. When the ship struck a mine and was sunk with 21 sailors lost, Bill received the Purple Heart for wounds received in action.
Returning to Laurel, his first job was at the E. I. Dupont Company. From there he joined his father and his brothers in W.B. Venables Builders and Sons. The company built many landmark buildings across the Eastern Shore. Bill was known for the many harness race horses he owned, bred, and trained over the years. He and his wife Joan’s favorite horse was their last and current horse Wingus. Bill was an avid golfer. He played in many tournaments around the Eastern Shore and was a great amateur golfer. Bill was an artist who enjoyed many hours painting his beautiful pictures in watercolors and oil.
A funeral service was held on Monday, April 19 at Centenary United Methodist Church in Laurel. Reverend Dean Perdue officiated. Interment followed in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Laurel. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mr. Venables memory to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Pointe Dr., Tampa, Florida 33607 or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.