William Harvey Daye

William Harvey Daye was born on June 30, 1932 in Durham, NC to the late Catherine Hester Evans Daye and the late Jabess Daye. He departed this earthly life on March 18, 2024. William attended Durham Public Schools as a child. He grew up singing spirituals in musical groups with his late brother, Eddie Jasper Daye, performing on Sunday morning radio programs in addition to churches in Durham. At home, he and his brother often assisted their mother with her seamstress duties, pressing the pedals on the sewing machine to expedite her workload. This influenced both brothers to learn how to sew. During this time, William began disassembling electronics to learn how their components worked, then would put them back together. While in his teens, the family relocated to Washington, DC. William attended and graduated from Armstrong High School (now Friendship Public Charter School) in 1952, where he was a member of the Student Council. Later that year, William was drafted into the U.S. Army but served his time for the U.S. Air Force. He was assigned to Bordeaux-Mérignac Air Base in France where he was reunited with older brother Eddie, who had been drafted years prior. The two resumed performing together, singing in local bars as well as entertaining fellow service members. While in France, William learned how to drive and perform maintenance on tanks and large trucks. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in December 1954. Upon returning to the United States, William worked at the Capital Garage in downtown Washington, DC, and Bedell Manufacturing Company where he rose to the level of Warehouse Manager. In January 1957, William married Jean Laverne (Thomas) Harris and became an instant father to her daughter, Phyllis. The following month, he signed a contract with the Herald Music Corporation as a member of Eddie Daye & The Four Bars. The group recorded numerous songs and performed at different venues throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. He concluded singing with the group just a few years later. William and Eddie both worked for Bedell's until the company ceased operations in the late 1980s. It was during their employment at Bedell's that the brothers were commissioned by the company to create mattresses and box springs for President John F. Kennedy. The siblings also designed and fabricated the protective foam rubber goal post covers at the old RFK Stadium for the former Washington Redskins. Over the years, William honed his skills as a master upholsterer as well as vehicle repairs, electronic and appliance repairs, and home improvements. He busied himself with roofing, plumbing, painting, electrical work, landscaping, gardening, masonry, concrete repair, crafting and building furniture, and making drapes and furniture slipcovers. In addition to single-handedly renovating the basement and kitchen at home, he performed repairs at his mother-in-law's beauty salon. He painstakingly reupholstered the interior of his beloved 1964 Ford Mustang, adding a slide-out 8-track player to give the car that hi-fi "swag". William always demonstrated resourcefulness by repairing and modifying objects from ordinary household items; his family called him 'MacGyver'. William was a homebody and a quiet man but he projected a strong presence. He loved music, movies, reading The Washington Post, and sports, especially Washington's football team. He enjoyed regaling family with stories of potentially dangerous mischief he initiated as a teenager while watching younger sister Jackie, as well as his years in the military which he described as a gratifying time in his life. He frequently spoke of walking from the family's home in Barry Farms to Armstrong High School, and even to and from Silver Spring, MD. William could always be heard singing around the house, especially songs by Donny Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield, The Dixie Hummingbirds or his favorite group, The Manhattans. His family affectionately referred to him as The Mayor of South Carolina Avenue, the street where he resided in several homes for well over 70 years. William was predeceased by his dedicated wife Jean L. Daye in 2001, and his youngest granddaughter Stacey J. Kornegay in 2022. He leaves to cherish his memory: loving daughter Phyllis L. Kornegay; loyal granddaughter Trina D. Parker; responsible great-grandson Ricardo Kornegay; fiercely devoted sister Jacqueline D. Childs; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors. William was a committed family man and a pillar of strength to those who knew him. Over the years, he was a consistent father figure to many. His easy-going manner was welcomed by all who encountered him, and he will truly be missed.

Tributes

William Harvey Daye

June 30, 1932 - March 18, 2024