Marion William Wakefield, known as ”Wake" to anyone who knew and loved him, passed away March 13th, 2010. He was 94. Wake was born January 23, 1916 and grew up in his hometown of Anniston, AI. After graduating from Anniston High School, he attended Auburn University where he received a B.S. Degree in Chemical Engineering. Wake worked for Peerless Pumps Corporation for 32 years as a salesman with the states of Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina as his territory. When he retired from Peerless Pumps, he did not like retirement saying he had played all the golf he wanted to play. He then became a manufacturer's representative for Fairbanks Morse Fire Pumps and formed his own company Wake Pump & Equipment Co., actively enjoying this new adventure until selling the company in fall of 2009. Wake and Allene Pennington were married October 29, 1938 in the First Methodist Church of Anniston, AI. Dr. Waites G. Henry Sr. performed the ceremony. Wake and Allene moved to Atlanta in 1945 and shortly thereafter became members of Decatur First Methodist. Wake joined the Keystone Class where he was a member until January 2006. He then became a member of the Kerr Friendship Paty Class. Wake enjoyed several hobbies which included being an avid fan of Auburn University, biking, white water rafting, playing cards with friends, crossword puzzles, fishing, cooking and having a small vegetable garden each year. Wake received many awards for his effortless work in the Fire Pump industry including several awards of excellence for his lifelong commitment and dedication to the fire protection industry. He was recognized nationwide for his knowledge and expertise in this area. In 2004 Wake was inducted into the Golden Eagles Club of Auburn University. This very special group is only for those graduates of Auburn University who have celebrated 50 years as a graduate from the university. Wake continued to attend the yearly Golden Eagle induction ceremonies in Auburn for himself and other “War Eagles" until recently. Wake is survived by his wife Allene, his daughter Susan Wakefield Dyer, daughter Nancy Wakefield Edmondson and her husband Eric; three grandchildren, Kelley Bronsink and husband Troy; Andy Dyer and wife Janice, Ben Dyer and wife Lauren; two great grandchildren, Kathryn Eve Bronsink and Alex Wakefield Dyer; a brother, Robert Wakefield of Bellevue, WA; sister-in-law Mary Sue Pennington of Columbia Tennessee; niece and nephew, Barbara and Jimmy Turner of Macon, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Saturday March 20 at 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of Decatur First United Methodist Church with visitation an hour and one half before. In lieu of flowers the family has requested those who wish make a donation to The Auburn University Foundation, 317 S. College, Auburn, AI. in Wake's name, or to their favorite charity. A. S. Turner & Sons
