Obituary of William A. Fritz
William A. “Bill” Fritz, age 88, of Shorewood, IL, passed away on Thursday, May 20, 2021 with his family by his side. Bill was born on July 13, 1932 to Edward and Rose (Altiery) Fritz in Joliet, IL.
Bill was a proud U.S. Navy Veteran having served four years aboard the USS Chilton during the Korean War. He retired in 1987 from General Motors/Fisher Body after 30 years. He was a true warrior for many years during his battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Family meant everything to Bill and he always took time to have fun and be with them. In his later years, nothing made him smile or laugh more than reminiscing about the time spent with his wife and daughters at the family cabin in Wisconsin. Bill loved the outdoors and took advantage of what it had to offer. He enjoyed sailing, fishing and during the winter months bowling and skiing. He was most passionate about golf and took numerous trips with Audrey and friends.
Bill was a beloved husband and is survived by Audrey (Hodgdon) Fritz, his wife of 66 years; proud father to five daughters, Lori (Bill) Daily, Donna (John) White, Susan (Tom) Bowen, Shelley (Jeff) Simon, and Stacy (Joe) Broske; loving grandpa to ten grandchildren, Erynn (Dave) Chase, Matthew (Catharine) Daily, Patrick (Taryn) White, Shannon (Rob) Wilczek, Casey (Val) White, Lindsay (Steve) Shanholtzer, Michael (Julia) Bowen, Rachel (Kyle) Litz, Madeline (Eric) Smith, and Laura Simon; loving great-grandpa to sixteen, Carter and Ryelin Chase, Owen Daily, Addison, Graeme, Casey Jane, Maddox and Aubrea White, Emma, Averie, Cora and Colin Wilczek, Natalie and Ryan Shanholtzer, Bridger Bowen and Annie Litz.
Preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Edward Fritz and Leonard Fritz (in infancy), grandparents, aunts, uncles and extended family.
Bill was the most loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed, but lives forever in our hearts.
Visitation for Bill Fritz will be Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet from 8:30 a.m. until chapel prayers at 11:00 a.m. The funeral will continue to the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, 604 N. Raynor Ave., Joliet where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Mary Nativity Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made as gifts in Bill’s memory to the LaSalle Veterans Home Activity Fund, LaSalle, IL, or Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research would be appreciated.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or you may visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
