William Fryxell, long-time Downey resident, died after a three-month struggle with advanced stage kidney cancer on December 29, 2014. “Bill”/”Willy” worked for North American Aviation, Rockwell, and Boeing on defense and space exploration projects. An Arizona State University Engineering graduate specializing in instrumentation, his career spanned 50+ years and focused on the Apollos and Space Shuttles, including ground control. He was a square dance enthusiast, member of the Downey United Methodist Church, and was deeply dedicated to collecting and distributing food for those in need. Born in Moline, Illinois to Ralph and Florence (Challman) Fryxell, the family moved early on to Arizona, and he grew up there with his younger sister, Marlowe. He graduated from Mesa High School. Bill was married to Dawn Sullivan (1961-1971), and had three children. By the mid 1970’s, he began his twenty-four year relationship with wife June McLaughlin Wingo, a nurse at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital. She predeceased him in 1993 from breast cancer.

Bill was a loyal son, husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend to many. He gave selflessly and volunteered actively as an usher and teen teacher at his Church. Bill lived in the moment and had had deep equanimity towards others. His quirky sense of humor, hard work, and generosity will be missed by many whose lives he touched.

He is survived by his three children (Heather, Todd and Aimee), eleven grandchildren (Courtney, Erika, Molly, Joseph, Madeline, Matthew, Cassandra, Sean, Spencer, Abby and Jacob) and three great-grandchildren (Christopher, Shirley and Finn), by his sister Marlowe, nieces and nephews, and their families.

Please join us for a local memorial service and reception on Saturday, January 17th, 2015 at Downey United Methodist Church at 10 a.m. (10801 Downey Avenue, Downey, CA 90241).

Bill will come to final rest in Phoenix, Arizona at services on Sunday, January 18th, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. (Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, 2300 W. Van Buren, Phoenix, AZ 85009).

A donation of time or goods to FoodHelp, a local food bank hosted by Downey First Christian is most appreciated. May his memory be for blessing in the Book of Life.

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Published: Jan. 8, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 39