William Wesley "Bill" Fraker
William Wesley "Bill" Fraker, Retired U.S. Army Colonel, 89, of Apison, passed away on Sunday, November 7, 2021.
Born May 14, 1932, to the late Isaac Wesley and Clara Mae Stutz Fraker, he graduated from Red Bank High School in 1951, from Atlantic Armstrong State University, Savannah, Ga., in 1970 and from the US Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Ks., in 1971.
Bill joined the 181st Field Artillery Battalion, Tennessee National Guard in April, 1950. He entered active US Army in July, 1954 as a Sergeant First Class. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, Artillery in November, 1955. His foreign assignments included three years in Germany, two years in Vietnam, one year in Iran.
His military awards included Master Army Aviator Badge, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star w/1 OLC, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal w/”V”and 30 OLC, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/”V”, and I OLC, Purple Heart w/1OLC, Good conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal w/ 1OLC, Vietnamese Campaign Medal w/7 Campaign Stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ “X” device, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/ 2 Silver Stars and 1 Bronze Star, Vietnamese Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation w/ 1 OLC, Meritorious Unit Citation and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/ 2 Gold Palms. Bill was twice inducted into the US Army Field Artillery OCS Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Red Bank High School Hall of Fame, April 24, 2009.
Bill taught Sunday School for 14 years at First UMC, De Funiak Springs, FL. He was a member of the Army Aviation Association of America, Special Forces Association, Special Operations Association, Chattanooga Chapter of MOAA, 145th and 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion Associations, 189th Combat Aviation Company (Ghostriders), 197th / 334th Armed Helicopter Companies, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America and the Joe Engle Knothole Gang.
Bill was preceded in death by Ruby, his beloved wife of 55 magical years; daughter, Christina Fraker; and sister, Martha Landis.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanette Gray Conner- Fraker; three daughters, Stephanie (Kelly) Edmondson, Mechanicsville, VA, Julia Brandt, Winter Garden, FL, Pamela Ortiz, Tucson, AZ; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; sister, Rosalie Rowland, Colorado Springs, CO; stepson, Les (Lauren) Conner; stepdaughter, Lisa (Amelia) Conner, all of Chattanooga.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Vinh Son Montagnard Orphange, P.O. Box 9322, Auburn, CA 95604-9322.
You may send condolences to the family at www.heritagechattanooga.com.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.