Wilbur Hyde Frazel 1913-2011

Wilbur Frazel, a photo by midgefrazel on Flickr.

Wilbur Hyde Frazel of East Providence, RI passed away on May 9, 2011 after a short illness at age 97. Wilbur, who liked to be called Bill, was the son of the late Phares D. and Linda (Hyde) Frazel and was born [15 Oct 1913] in Hudson, MA. [His father built this house on Cherry St. in Hudson next door to his wife Linda's sister Fredericka and her family, The Dunbars] [House today] Bill lived his early years in Hudson and on the farm In Marlboro with his grandparents, Joseph and Naomi (Fancy) Frazel, who came from Nova Scotia in 1892. Wilbur was named after a favorite great uncle, Wilbur Watson Smallidge. [shown here] [Bill, like most boys, enjoyed riding his bike]

His family moved to Dedham, MA [because his father had a better job] where he graduated from Dedham High School in 1931 [played football] and from Brown University with a degree in Engineering in 1935. [This photo above is his college graduation photo.]

Bill was a professional engineer for Builders Iron Foundry/ General Signal for many years and held several patents. After retirement, he ran his own consulting firm for several years. He met his wife Ruth during his commute to college and married her in 1937. [wedding invitation]

Bill and Ruth lived in Barrington and Riverside moving to East Bay Manor a few years ago. Ruth passed away in September of 2010 after they were married for 72 years.

Bill leaves three sons, David and his wife Myra of Indiana, Stephen and his wife Midge of Massachusetts, and Michael of Illinois. He was the grandfather of three, Laura Frazel Dulski, Cheryl Frazel Lasseter and Heather Frazel Sacco.

Bill was the great grandfather of two step-great grandsons and three great grandsons, and a nephew James Craig and his wife Theresa of Cranston, RI. Bill was the half brother of the late Raymond W. Frazel and a sister, Frances, who died in infancy.

Bill enjoyed working with cars, watching sports on TV and was a early user of computers. He will be missed by his family and his cousins still living in the Hudson, MA area. Arrangements will be private.