William Dragt 10/12/32 – 8/30/18

William “Bill” Dragt was born on October 12, 1932 in the village of Uitwellingerga, Friesland, in the Netherlands. He went to be with his Lord August 30, 2018 at the age of 85 at his home in Strathmore, California after a year long courageous battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Rheta Dragt, his son Gary William Dragt and wife Annemarie, his son Samuel Arthur Dragt. He is also survived by his daughter Eileen Rheta Demerath and husband Arthur Demerath, and adopted daughter Michelle “Shell” Farias and husband Tony Farias. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Kenneth T. Dragt and fiancé Brizah Rojas, Steven Dragt, Jennifer (Dragt) Moon and husband Justin, Jacqueline Dragt, (elliott Holt) Julieanne Dragt, Katrina Chantelle (Jones) Hansen and husband Andrew Hansen, Arthur Henry Demerath III, Zachary Demerath, Adam Edward Farias, Isaac Michael Harrison Farias, and great-granddaughter Chelsea Dragt. He is additionally survived by four of his sisters; Edna Brower and husband Ed, Nell Bosman, Grace Prins and husband Cor, Rena Dejong and husband Peter, and three brothers;

Harold Dragt, and wife Jeanette, Henry Dragt and wife Jane, and brother Earl Dragt and wife Polly, and many, many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Geert and Jeltje Dragt, and two brothers; Andrew Dragt and Peter Dragt.

He immigrated to the US in 1950, and shortly thereafter became a citizen. He was a lifelong dairyman. He was an active, involved, and much beloved member of Lindsay Christian Church. He loved his Lord above all, reading the Bible and praying daily. He used his beautiful tenor voice to praise his Lord in song an church, at events, and while going about his everyday life. He deeply cherished his wife and family.

He grew beautiful flowers, enjoyed riding and driving horses, watching football, enjoying nature, and keeping up on political events. He was a source of encouragement to many. He will be dearly missed.

There will be a memorial service at Lindsay Christian Church at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 6, 2018. Interment will be at the Woodville Cemetery following the service, there will be a reception at William and Rheta’s home following the internment.

Webb Sanders & Smith Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

Webb Sanders & Smith Funeral Home