William Ernest Preedy, 82, died Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010, in Maryview Medical Center. Born in Norfolk County, VA, now the city of Chesapeake, he was a son of the late Robert Daine Preedy and Goldie Lee Oakley Preedy. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marian Ricks Preedy; two brothers, Robert D. Preedy, Jr. (Betty) and Sidney Lee Preedy, both of Chesapeake, VA; several nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins and many friends. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and served with the occupational forces in Germany following World War II. While employed with the U.S. Department of the Navy, he sustained a debilitating injury on May 27, 1959, which resulted in the lifetime use of a wheelchair. He earned a B.A. Degree in Human Services from Virginia Wesleyan College and a Masters of Urban Studies Degree from Old Dominion University. He had retired from the Medical College of Hampton Roads. Ernest was a member of Deep Creek United Methodist Church. He loved and served his God in many areas of Ministry, including Church Treasurer for 40 years, Charter Member and First President of United Methodist Men, and as chairman of the Board of Trustees. He served many years as a Board Member of the Commission on Disabilities of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Recently, the Commission on Disabilities renamed the Scholarship for Ministry with persons with disabilities to the Ernest Preedy Scholarship in honor of his dedication and devotion to advocating for persons with disabilities. The scholarships are intended for individuals who are attending seminary or professional training to either upgrade skills or prepare for ministries with persons with disabilities. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Virginia Annual Conference with notation for The Ernest Preedy Scholarship, P.O. Box 1719, Glen Allen, VA 23060. A funeral service will be conducted Saturday at 11 a.m. by the Rev. Jonathan Bennett, the Rev. Art Wolz, and the Rev. Zack Deal in Deep Creek United Methodist Church, Chesapeake, VA. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. in Beechwood Cemetery, Boykins, VA. The family will receive friends at Snellings Funeral Home, George Washington Highway Chapel Friday from 3 to 5 p.m.