Illustrious William Ryan Peake

With heartfelt gratitude for a life well lived, we celebrate the life and legacy of William Ryan Peake, affectionately known as Mr. Peake, Uncle Ryan, Bill, Sam and PaPa.  Above all, William Ryan Peake loved the Lord.

On Monday, May 18, 2026, William Ryan Peake entered his eternal home. He was born on April 16, 1934, to James and Delilah Pruitt Peake and was educated in the South Carolina public school system. Ryan accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of St. Luke Baptist Church in Buffalo, South Carolina.

After moving to New York, he met Margaret Ann Morris, who became his devoted wife. Together they raised three daughters: Joan, Gisele (Ge-Gee), and Robyn. He was a devoted father, provider and family man.  He also was a faithful member of The Garden of Eden Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York, where he served for many years as chair of the Deacon Ministry and sang in the senior choir. He faithfully attended church, enjoyed hearing the Word, was a sharp dresser and a proficient prayer warrior.  He was known for being able to get a prayer through.

He retired as a truck driver from Thompson Aircraft Tire in Huntington Station, New York, where he became a proud member and shop steward of the Teamsters Union Local 816. He was passionate about advocating for fair wages and good working conditions. He had a passion for driving.   Shortly after his retirement from Thompson Aircraft Tire, he began driving limousine’s part time for Sampson Funeral Service, Inc.   He enjoyed this work because it allowed him to use his gift of driving and converse with bereaved families. He was also a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Freemason.

He loved to joke and make people laugh. Friendly and outgoing, he enjoyed talking with anyone willing to listen. He was an avid New York Mets fan and even played on the Teamsters Union softball team. Each year, the family vacationed in South Carolina to visit loved ones.

In 1964, he and his family moved from Brooklyn, New York, to Queens, New York. There, they formed long lasting friendships with families on 145th Street “ The Block”.  Now lovingly referred to as #145forlife.

A few years after his wife’s passing, he returned to his hometown in South Carolina. Once there, he reconnected with St. Luke Baptist Church, where he was ordained as a deacon.

Ryan was preceded in death by his parents, James and Delilah Peake; his sisters, Sarah Margaret, Caroline “Peggy” Smith, Reverend Thelma P. Bartley, and Pauline Peake; and his brothers, Wilbert Thomas and Reverend George B. Peake, and Jimmie Peake, Sr.

He leaves to cherish his memory, three daughters: Joan M. Branch of Union, South Carolina; Gisele Peake Russell (David) of Hampton, Virginia; and Robyn Peake Rice (Sherome) of Boiling Springs, South Carolina. He is also survived by his brother, Howard M. Peake, Sr. (Mary), of Glen Oaks, New York, and his sister-in-law, Barbara Peake of Union, South Carolina.

He also leaves six grandchildren: Janell M. Stevens, Janine Smith, Glen Michael Branch, Justin D. Russell, David Ghee Russell, and Shawna L. Rice and a host of great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Illustrious William Ryan Peake, please visit our floral store.