William E. Frederick, 92, of Vero Beach, passed away on Feb. 29, 2016, at his home in Oak Harbor.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marion Kerr Frederick; three children: daughter Kerrie of Trimble, Mo., son William Jr. and his wife Elizabeth of Beverly Mass., daughter Dale and her husband Ed of London, England as well as his three adored grandchildren, Elizabeth, Reilly and Samuel.
Frederick was a retired textile executive and passionate golfer.
He was born July 20, 1923 in Chicago, Ill., to the late Denver Dale Frederick and Louise Catherine Frederick (nee Enault). He spent his youth in Chicago and later Philadelphia, before his family settled in Bronxville, N.Y.
He graduated from Milford Academy, Milford, Conn., and attended Yale University. He enlisted in the US Navy during WWII, attending the Midshipmen school at Notre Dame and Advanced US Naval Intelligence School at NYU. He was a member of the first group of Scouts and Raiders (the pre-cursor to the Navy SEALs). After serving in the South Pacific, he returned to Yale, graduating with the Class of 1945W.
Frederick began his 40 year career in textiles at Cannon Mills in New York City. He later joined West Point Pepperell, eventually becoming President of Consumer Products, and finally, at M Low-enstein Corp., where he served as Senior Vice President of the company and President of their Home Products Division. He was a member of the Merchants Club and the Weavers Club, as well as The Yale Club and the University Club. He retired in 1986.
It was at Cannon Mills that he met his future wife, Marion Hunter Kerr, whom he married in 1952. They raised their family in Montclair, N.J., where she was born.
Retirement was divided between homes in Montclair and Sea Island, Ga., where he pursued his passion for golf fully. Frederick was a member of the United States Senior Golf association and belonged to many golf clubs in his lifetime including Siwanoy Country Club, Montclair Golf Club, Pine Valley Golf Club, Ekwanoc Golf Club, Sea Island Golf Club, Ocean Forest Golf Club, and the Oak Harbor Club. He achieved eight holes in one in his lifetime.
A principled and competitive individual, Frederick made many friends through the game of golf, and was pleased to have the opportunity to play different courses, and meet professionals and other talented amateurs as well. In both his personal and professional life, he made lasting friendships, enjoyed playing bridge, and could always be relied on to inject his sense of humor and fair play into all his endeavors. He was a devoted husband and father who supported his wife and children in their many activities.
At Mr. Frederick’s request, there will be no formal service. Interment will be at Mt. Hebron Cemetery, Upper Montclair, NJ, where services will be private.
Contributions in Mr. Frederick’s memory may be made to The American Heart Association , PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or to the VNA Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
