William “Bill” Bennett Frederick was born on November 6, 1934, to Bertha Collins and Hobart Frederick in rural Brooksville, Kentucky. He has two older sisters, Frances Henderson, who has preceded him in death, and Marjorie Burton. Bill also has five younger siblings, Roy Tucker, Dale Tucker and Shelva-Jean Burden, who preceded him in death, Eddie Tucker and Linda Sue Fegan. Bill passed away April 25 surrounded by his loving family.
At the age of 21 Bill joined the Airforce to serve his country where he became the youngest refueling crew chief in the Strategic Air Command Unit. During his service, stationed in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he met the love of his life Sylvia Marlene Lopez. It was love at first sight. As he stood at the entrance to the Christmas party, he looked at his companion and said “See that girl dancing with the long dark hair, that’s the girl I’m going to marry” before even meeting her. That was the beginning of their love affair. They were married April 5, 1959, and celebrated their 59th anniversary this month. Bill and Sylvia shared a love of fishing and were avid golfers. They loved traveling and took many cruises. But most of all they loved spending time with their family and friends.
Bill is survived by his wife Sylvia, son Jeffrey and wife Julie, and daughters Tracy Frederick Johnson and Lisa Frederick. Grandchildren Justin and Courtney Northcutt, Trevor and Shelby Love, Alisha Ford and husband Bryan, Angela Trimm and husband Ryan, William Bennett Frederick II and wife Hannah, Bailey Draper and husband Cain, and Alexandria Liquez. Great-grandchildren: Jakob, Kory and Hayden Ford; Peyton and Cole Trimm; Caison Northcutt; and, Hudson Draper.
Bill was a man of integrity, strength and kindness and was admired and respected by all who knew him. He was always telling jokes and was the life of every party. Bill was very active, loved taking care of his home and yard, and he was never sick a day in his life until he was struck down with a rare form of parkinsonism. He fought it with everything he had and lived a year longer than the life expectancy of this horrible disease.
The family greatly appreciates the special love and care Bill received from his caregivers Shirley Robinson and Maria Morgan.