William L. Frick

William Lee Frick, an engineer, musician and devout Lutheran, passed on Easter Morning, Sunday, April 1, 2018, at Lake St. Louis, MO.   He was born in Herrin, IL on April 3, 1928 to John and Bertie (Scrivner) Frick.  Bill was a beloved husband and loving father. He is survived by his wife Dorothy of 69 years and 3 children – John (Janice Barton), Cyndi (Michael Koonse) and David, 11 grandchildren:  Kate Frick, Kerry (Joe) Bell, Willey Frick, Megan (Omar) Sakkal, John (Carly) Elliott, Logan (Melanie) Elliott, Jenifer (Stephen) Carpenter, Silas (Beca) Koonse, Kris Koonse, Heather (Ben) Johnson, Emily (Tom) Paige, and 16 great-grandchildren - Henrietta Brubacher, Rhubarb Brubacher, Zayne Sakkal, Zaid Sakkal, Caroline Elliott, William Elliott, Grace Elliott, Ann Elliott, Katie Claire Elliott, Cole Carpenter, Samuel Carpenter, Corinne Carpenter, Henry Koonse, Charles Koonse, William Johnson, and Finn Paige.   

 Bill was preceded in death by his sisters Louise (Clyde) Maynard and Dorothy (Carl) White and his brother, Robert (Dorothy) Frick and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bert and Frances Hollingsworth as well as his father-In-law and mother-In-law, Bert and Pearl Hollingsworth, and grandparents-In-law, Alfred and Carrie Duval.  

 Bill is also remembered by his nieces and nephews:  Robert (Teri) Maynard, Judy (Fred) Cagle, Bob (Debbie) White, Karen (Michael) Reilly, Jane Marie (Bob) Hundertmark, and Robert (Yoli) Frick.   

 Bill and Dorothy married on April 23, 1949, at Zion Lutheran Church in St. Louis. Their life long friends, John and Ginny LaRocca and Bill’s neice Judy Cagle all participated in their wedding and will all be at Saturday’s services.  Bill and Dorothy originally met in 8th Grade Confirmation Class at Zion Lutheran Church 76 years ago. 

 After graduating from Central High School in 1946 he studied to become an Industrial Engineer culminating in a 45-year career at McDonnell Douglas – Boeing in St. Louis, Mo. 

 Bill and Dorothy were members at Zion Lutheran Church in the 1940’s. From 1954 to 1960 they were active members in Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, MO when the Frick family lived in Berkeley. In 1960, the family moved to Bridgeton where Bill became a founding member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. Bill and Dorothy moved to Lake St. Louis in 1980 and joined Holy Cross Lutheran Church in O’Fallon. 

 The Lutheran faith and active involvement in his church was an important and prominent part of Bill’s life.  At Holy Cross he served as Evangelism Chair-Person, Council Member, Board of Elders, an usher and an all around leadership person as members treasured his advice and spiritual guidance.  

 Bill’s deepest passion was his family life. Since the 1950’s he was instrumental in organizing the Frick Family Thanksgiving Reunion. What started out as traditional family turkey dinners evolved into major 3-day reunions at Pere Marquette Lodge with 50+ relatives. He was often the Master of Ceremony focusing on love and unity of family. Thanksgiving night family bingo was a not to be missed event inclusive of the traveling ‘Good At Bingo’ trophy. His hobbies included landscaping yard work, organizing anything and everything, and playing music.  He has played the trumpet since he was12 years old. His music career included playing the trumpet with the Harvey Kincer Big Band with his best friend, John LaRocca. They both also played and recorded with The Skylark Sextet.  Bill continued after retirement by playing trumpet with the O’Fallon City Band.  Eventually, he took up playing the organ and was avid about his lessons and practice sessions

Memorial Donations are suggested to: MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION in memory of William L. Frick.