William D. DeShazo

William “Bill” Douglas DeShazo, also known as Baby Brother and PaPa passed away after a lengthy illness on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Osceola Regional Medical Center. Bill was born July 2, 1937 at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland to the late Byrd Alexander DeShazo and Mary Magnolia Morton. He graduated from Dunbar High School and received his Associate Degree in Business Administration from Prince Georges Community College. Bill joined the U.S. Army in September 1960, serving for two years. During his early years with the United States Postal Service, he held one of the toughest jobs as a Railway Clerk on the RPO (Railway Post Office). Later in his career, he worked in departments of finance and procurement at the USPS headquarters in Washington D.C. After over 30 years with the USPS, he moved on to a career at the Washington Post where he worked for over 10 years. During his retirement, Bill discovered a skill in kitchen design and worked as a sales and design consultant at three top remodeling stores. Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Shirley DeShazo; brothers, Byrd Alexander DeShazo Jr., Cecil DeShazo and daughter, Tujuana Albritton. William is survived by his devoted wife, Patricia DeShazo of Kissimmee, FL; loving daughters, ¬Patria DeShazo-Parker (William) of The District of Columbia, Lisa Canastra (Daniel) of Boston, MA; proud sons, William D. DeShazo, Jr., LaDwayne Banks of Chicago, IL, Ernest Sherron Banks (fiancé Aiyda) of Alexandria, VA; eleven outstanding grandchildren; two beautiful great-grandchildren; kind hearted brothers James Morton (Deborah) of Bryans Road, MD, Anthony Highe (Karen) of Richmond, VA, Brunice Deshazo (Mimi) of Baltimore, MD; sisters, Linda Wilson of Forestville, MD, Martha DeShazo of Baltimore, MD and a host of other relatives and friends. Wise, funny, dry-witted, enthusiastic, thoughtful, independent, loving... he was all these things. Bill had a love for music, history and photography. His enormous personality, wealth of selflessness and friendly smile will forever be etched in our hearts. Memorial Service Florida: Friday, November 20, 2015 at 11:00am in the Chapel at the First Baptist Church of Kissimmee 1700 N John Young Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34741 Maryland: Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 11:00am at Sartik’s 7670 Hawthorne Road La Plata, MD 20646 In lieu of flowers, we would like to donate to MUSIC & MEMORY℠. This wonderful non-profit organization helps people in nursing homes and other care organizations who suffer from a wide range of cognitive and physical challenges to find renewed meaning and connection in their lives through the gift of personalized music using iPods and digital technology. Arrangements under the care of Osceola Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 1717 Old Boggy Creek Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744 (407) 847-2494 Online Condolences to: www.osceolamemgds.com

William D. DeShazo

July 2, 1937 - November 14, 2015