William F. "Bill" Fricke

William "Bill" F. Fricke, 82, of Washington Township, passed away with family in attendance, on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at the Pleasant Ridge Nursing Home in West Leechburg.
Born on March 6, 1942 in Homestead, he was a son of the late Elmer & Marian (Voigt) Fricke. Bill was one of 8 children: 4 brothers and 3 sisters. He served his country for 8 ½ years in the United States Marine Corps, completing two tours of duty in Vietnam.
Bill earned his Associate's Degree in Electrical Technology, but worked as a salesman and driver for the Hostess/Continental Baking Company for 31 years. Throughout his life, he helped many friends and neighbors with wiring and electrical concerns at no cost, except for the time he was offered a pig.
Bill was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Apollo, and for ten years was an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a second family to him. Bill's Vincentian work also included volunteering monthly at the Westmoreland County Food Bank. He was a member of the VFW Post #92 in Lower Burrell, and the American Legion Post #945.
Bill loved to tinker, working on numerous projects during his retirement. He especially gave a lot of attention to his 1932 Farmall 130 and was the only family member who could get it started.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a son, Jonathan Scott Fricke; sister, Mary Lou Cikovic; brothers, Elmer "Bud" Fricke, Robert Fricke, and Richard Fricke.
Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carol (Connolly) Fricke; children, William F. Fricke, Jr. of Ford City, Jacqueline Smith of Washington Township and her daughter, Shannon Smith; Shelley Kriger, who Bill thought of as a daughter, and her family Malinda Kriger and Berkley Kriger; brother, Ronald Thomas Fricke; and sisters, Lorraine Lynch and Gerri Crabill.
At Bill's request, all services are private, and have been entrusted to the Curran-Shaffer Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., Apollo.
Bill's family wishes to extend their profound gratitude to the friends and family that kept him in their thoughts and prayers during his extended illness, for the care and sincere sensitivity of the staff and residents of the Pleasant Ridge Nursing Home, and the compassion displayed by the staff of Monarch Hospice.
"Fly and be free, there is no such place as far away,"- Richard Bach.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill's memory to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Apollo Conference or the Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind in Pittsburgh.