William Franklin Fraker

William Franklin (Bill) Fraker, 90 of Knoxville, TN was suddenly called to his heavenly home and Savior Lord Jesus Christ when his heart stopped on New Year’s Eve, Thursday, December 31, 2020. He was the third child born to Letha and Douglas Fraker and grew up on Broadway in Fountain City, TN. Bill, as he was called by his family and friends, lived his entire life in Knoxville, TN. While at Smithwood Elementary school, he held his first job riding his bicycle as a newspaper carrier to deliver papers in the Fountain City/Smithwood area for Knoxville News-Sentinel, where his father Douglas was a District Manager. He was a proud 1949 Bobcat graduate of Central High School in Fountain City, TN. After graduation he signed up to serve his country. He served as an Army Private First Class from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean war, where he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1953, where he returned home to Broadway in Fountain City, TN. On October 2, 2019, Bill was among the other Veterans to fly with HonorAir Flight 29 to Washington, DC to view the memorials. He was proud to be able to go! Bill married Essie Ruth Douglas Fraker in 1955 and they were joined for 20 years until her death in 1979, there were no children from this union. In 1994, Bill reunited with a family friend, Madeline Cox Lockhart, who herself was a widow from Clinton, TN. They became special friends for 24 years, until her unexpected death in 2018. Bill held many jobs in his lifetime: besides paper carrier, he worked at Pratt’s Market, Sani-Seal Ice Cream on Jackson Ave., Robertshaw, and had odd jobs mowing, painting, janitor at Third Creek Baptist Church and Solid Rock Baptist Church. He retired from Plastic Line of Powell, TN in 1992, where he worked as Assembler, Janitor, Welder and Machine Operator during his 33 years. Bill had a quirky sense of humor and he loved to make people laugh! He loved taking care of his home built in 1954 for 66 years in Karns, TN, where he liked to garden when he was younger, and drive his Ford cars and truck. Bill was still driving at the age of 89. Bill accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of 9 at Smithwood Baptist Church and continued to remain in His service. He was a 38 year dedicated member, deacon and trustee at Solid Rock Baptist Church of Powell, TN. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Essie Ruth Douglas Fraker: his parents Douglas Grant and Letha Elizabeth Hale Fraker: his sister, Anna Ruth Fraker Hamley and brother-in-law, Rush Monday Hamley; his brother, Harold (Bud) Eugene Fraker and sister-in-law, Nina Louise Norris Fraker, and his special friend Madeline Cox Lockhart. He is survived by his seven nieces and nephews and their families: Pat Hamley Shipley, Greensboro, NC; Becky Hamley Cox, Knoxville, TN; Sharon Fraker Smith, Powell, TN; Janet Fraker Boyd, Powell, TN; Harold Fraker, Soddy-Daisy, TN; Doug Fraker, Knoxville, TN and Rachel Fraker Brengle, Powell, TN. Also, special family friends and their families: John, Mike and Darryl Lockhart and many other friends and neighbors. Our family would like to thank the employees at Pinnacle Assisted Living of Waterville Lane in Knoxville for their love and care of our Uncle Bill and Smoky Mountain Hospice for their special attention to his needs. Due to the COVID virus and for the safety of family and friends, we ask that you follow CDC guidelines and visit Mynatt Funeral Home, 2829 Rennoc Rd., Knoxville TN 37918 on Friday, January 8, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at your convenience to pay your respect. A private graveside service will take place on Saturday, January 9, 2021 with family meeting at Lynnhurst Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. Honorary pallbearers are: Harold Fraker, Doug Fraker, Dennis Boyd, David Cox, Jonathan Cox, and John Lockhart. Preacher Jackie Bunch to officiate. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Solid Rock Baptist Church, 7006 Clinton Hwy., Knoxville, TN 37921 or a charity of your choice in his memory. Arrangements under the direction of Mynatt Funeral Home, Knoxville, TN.