William Earl Proctor, Sr. affectionately known to everyone as "Nace" was born on December 18, 1923 to the late Blanche Medley and William Andrew Proctor "Boy Boy". He lived a very long and full life enjoying his family and his many friends. He grew up in Washington, D.C. and in Prince George's County. Nace grew up in a large loving family with many brothers and sisters. His mother passed away when he was very young, and he was raised by his Aunts and other relatives, until he got older and would eventually move back to live with his father and stepmother (Rosalee).

As a young man, Nace would go on to meet and later marry his beautiful bride Elizabeth Gracie Proctor on July 18, 1945, who he was married to for 71 years. After the couple started their own family and had three very young sons (William Earl, Jr. "Buck", Robert "Shing" and Theodore "Tubby") Grace's mother passed away. Believing in family and the value of togetherness Nace and Grace would bring her younger siblings into their home to be raised alongside of their own growing family. Michelle "Shelly" and Mark came along to make the family complete.

In 1946, Nace went to work with WSSC and worked with them for 43 years; holding different positions, where he would meet and make lifelong friends. These friends meant the world to Nace and they would spend many years making memories.

When it came to his children, his style of disciplining them meant saying, "Wait until your mother gets home." Everyone knew how much he loved his children and was proud of each one. He spent numerous hours at the race track with his sons and we all knew that Michelle was the sparkle in his eye. Nace also had a special relationship with each of his daughters-in-law. Once the grandchildren came along, Nace went in to over drive spoiling every last one of them. His grandchildren would enjoy his regular acts of kindness. He would take them to the country store to buy slim jims, chips, soda and candy, taking money out of his "change purse".

The grandchildren called him "Grand Daddy" and loved riding with him in his truck or just spending time with him. They all have stories to share and each one ends with a fond memory of Grand Daddy and his humming.

Later when the great– grandchildren and then the great –great grandchildren came along they started calling him "Pop" or "Pop Nace". Regardless of who called him, or what they called him, he was always generous and loved doing for and being around his family.

Pop's tractor and his boat was his solace. Getting down to the "country" or out on the water gave him peace. He was known for hunting, fishing and crabbing. He would go fishing with his buddies Leroy, Leo and Delano (to name just a few). Nace had a passion for being outdoors, raising animals and growing gardens.

Nace was also known for his cooking and eating the animals he hunted; like rabbit, squirrel, deer, possum and his infamous turtle soup.

Pop was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many. Cherishing his memory, but mourning his loss are his wife, Elizabeth Gracie; his children, William Earl, Jr. "Buck" (Dianne), Michelle Johnson, Mark (Mary); his daughter-in-law, Barbara "Sis", his grandchildren; David, Sr., Purnell, Tammala, Wesley, Sheldon, MelJuan, Derrick, Mark,Jr., Darryl, Marketa, Nachelle, and Marcus, great grandchildren; Kristen, Ashley, David, Jr., Brandon, Darius, Tammany, Tamrin, Robin, Trevon, Shania, Sheldon, Jr., Tony, Jr, Darnez, Derrick, Jr. and Noelle; great-great grandchildren; Mar'leigh, Jaleal, London, and Darrick II; his brothers: Joseph "Jack", Henry "Bill", sisters; Mary "Judy", Carolyn, Rosalee "Beanie", Pamela, Karen; nieces, nephews and a host of other dear relatives and friends.

Nace was preceded in death by three sons; Larry, Theodore "Tubby" and Robert "Shing", sisters; Blanche "Sis" and Hilda, brothers; Leon, James "Hotdog", Jacinto "Teeny", Robert "Hooks", Michael, and Charles "Bubby".

Viewing 9:00am until 10:45am, Service, 11:00am, Wednesday, November 9, 2016 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640.

Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, 8000 Woodyard Road, Clinton, Maryland 20735.