Bill Fritts

William E. "Bill" Fritts Jr., 70, Topeka, passed away on November 28, 2016 at St. Francis Hospital, from complications of a blood disorder that was acquired due to chemical exposure during his service in the United States Army in Vietnam in 1967.

Bill was born August 9, 1946 in Topeka, KS to William E. Fritts and Laura Dillard. He graduated from Highland Park High School in 1964, and went on to serve as an E6 in the United States Army in Vietnam during 1967.

He married Karen Irwin on April 24, 1965 in Topeka. She survives.

Bill worked as Sheet Metal Worker Local #77 for McElroy's in Topeka for 35 years.

He is also survived by one son, Timothy, and his wife Jodi Fritts, two grandsons, Tyler and Trevor, and a granddaughter, Hayden, all of Basehor, KS; a brother, Mark of Auburn, KS; a sister, Joyce Stuckey of Topeka, KS and many nieces and nephews whom he adored. His grandchildren were the lights of Bill's life, coming just ahead of a "Big Bird Yellow" 1977 Chevy Monza that most have seen or heard in the Topeka area.

Bill will lie in state, and the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2016 at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road, Topeka, KS 66610. Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. in the Lawrence Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Bill's honor may be made to the MDS Foundation, 4573 South Broad Street, Ste. 150, Yardville, NJ 08620 or online at www.mds-foundation.org.

To leave a special message for Bill's family, please visit the guestbook below.