William "Billy" Addison Brake, II

“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord…” - 2 Corinthians 5:8.

On Sunday, November 17, 2024, William Addison Brake, II, 55, was welcomed into Heaven by Jesus, his Mom, and many other loved ones who put their faith in Christ. 

Billy was born December 16, 1968 in Akron, Ohio. The eldest child of William Addison Brake, I and Bonnie Sue Lovette, Billy grew up in Mogadore, Ohio. He was a 1987 graduate of Mogadore High School where he was a proud Wildcat who excelled in football and baseball.

Billy attended Arizona State University and the University of Akron. During his time at Arizona State, he secured multiple modeling gigs and had aspirations of pursuing an acting career. Sadly, during this time, Billy was diagnosed with dermatomyositis, an auto-immune muscle disease. He courageously fought dermatomyositis for over 30 years…but Billy was so much more than his illness. 

He was employed at Akron General Medical Center where he worked in the laboratory and Cornerstone Church where he served as the facility steward, but his all-time favorite job was as a stay-at-home Dad! 

On November 19, 1999, Billy married his long-time friend, Ginger Renée Huth. When Billy passed away, he and Ginger were two days shy of celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. 

Billy’s greatest accomplishment in life was being Dad to his two “treasures” - his daughters, Delaney Addison and Hennessy Gillian. They were the source of much pride and joy. He loved watching Laney acting in her high school drama productions, and was enthralled listening to her public speaking and sermon messages. Billy was Henny’s #1 fan and was thrilled watching her cheer and play volleyball and basketball, but coaching and attending her softball games was his favorite. They had a special bond and created great memories during the various road trips to travel softball games. 

Billy will be remembered for his stunning good looks and beautiful smile. He was blessed with a compassionate spirit and empathetic heart for the underdog. These are a few of his favorite things: Elvis Presley, motorcycles, watching movies, Coca-Cola, banana popsicles and salt & vinegar chips, watching music videos on YouTube, playing cards, competing at the Soap Box Derby, cheering on the Cleveland Guardians and his text fests with his Dad during the games, and snuggling with his loving golden retriever, Reesey Joy. 

Family meant everything to Billy. His parents divorced, but both re-married, so he was also blessed with an amazing step-Dad, Bob White, and step-Mom, Beth (Harris) Brake, both of whom loved Billy as their own and impacted his life in tremendous ways. 

Reunion Day in Heaven had to have been super exciting! Those waiting with open arms were his Mom, Bonnie Sue Lovette, his in-laws, Frank & Karen (Booth) Bell, his grandparents, Ruben & Lottie Jane (Dalton) Lovette, Willard & Sarah Sylvia (Woodruff) Brake, Roland & Clarice (Collier) Harris, and Gilbert & Louise (Brown) White. Along with his aunts, uncles, and special cousins, Tina Lovette, Kevin Wilson, & Nicole Anderson and childhood buddy, Scott “Squid” Long. 

Billy will be greatly missed by those who will have to continue this journey on earth without him: His wife, Ginger (Huth) Brake; daughters, Delaney & Hennessy Brake and precious dog, Reesey; parents; Bill & Beth (Harris) Brake and Bob & Jan (Sanders) White; father-in-law Duke Huth; brothers and sisters-in-law, Brian & Lori Brake and Brandon & Joy White; nieces Courtney, Sophia, & Gianna, and nephew Dalton. 

The beauty of our big blended family is that there are a lot of people who will be grieving with hope because of Jesus’ sacrifice and so we want to recognize Billy’s beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces-in-law and nephews-in-law, and long line of cherished friends. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, November 30th at 10 a.m. at Cornerstone Church, 2445 S Arlington Rd., with an hour of visitation before the service. After the service, we’d love to honor Billy by hosting a luncheon at the Mogadore Moose, 4095 Mogadore Rd., where we will be sharing stories and rooting on our Buckeyes as they face “the team up north”! 

A part of Billy’s legacy is how he intentionally loved and cared for his family to the best of his ability. He often sacrificed so his girls’ needs were met. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brake Family as Ginger, Delaney, and Hennessy navigate life without him. 

We love you Billy, and we'll miss you greatly, but we trust in God's promise of eternal life for those who love Jesus and look forward to the day when we are all reunited!

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To share a memory of William or to leave a special message for his family, visit the guest book below.