William "Gene" Meaker, a lifelong Alexandrian, died unexpectedly Dec. 23, 2017. He was 56.

Meaker was born in Alexandria on July 24, 1961, to William Joseph Meaker and Mary Virginia Lawson. Meaker was a member of the Sons of the American Legion and along with his brother, Michael, participated in the city’s Miracle League sports program for individuals with special needs.

“Gene was one of our original members when we started the Miracle League in 2011,” said Mac Slover, director of Sports for the City of Alexandria. “He and his brother Mike always came to games excited to play. Gene in particular always greeted the volunteers, smiling and saying ‘we’re playing baseball today!’”

As a member of the Sons of the American Legion, Meaker provided janitorial services to Post 24 in Old Town.

“Gene was a fixture at the Legion,” said Post 24 Commander Doug Gurka. “He loved to kid around and had this dry sense of humor that everyone loved. He was always a reliable and hard worker and did his job with a smile.”

Meaker was preceded in death by his father. Survivors include his mother, Mary Lawson, and brothers Michael Lynn Meaker of Alexandria and David Wayne Meaker of Fredericksburg.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 4, at 10 a.m. at the Chapel of Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington St., with burial to follow at Washington Street United Methodist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

“Gene was such a great guy,” Slover added. “He always looked after his brother Mike and was a favorite of all the volunteers. He was always happy and enthusiastic and one of our exceptional players in the program. We’ll all miss him.”