By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support local journalism.
William Heartsel “Bill” Fraker
Obituaries

Mr. William Heartsel “Bill” Fraker, 95, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2020, at The Retreat at Jasper. He was born March 14, 1925, in Whitfield County, Ga., to the late George Heartsel and Lula Byrd Fraker. He grew up in the Dawnville community and resided most of his life in Dalton before retiring to Ocala, Florida in 1987 and then to Big Canoe, Ga., in 1998. He enjoyed being a resident of The Retreat at Jasper since its opening in September 2018.

Mr. Fraker was a proud World War II Veteran, having served in the First Cavalry of the United States Army. He was stationed in Luzon, Philippines and later participated in the Occupation of Japan where he spent time guarding the Headquarters of General MacArthur. In 2017 he took the Honor Flight with his daughter to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.

He spent most of his working career in the printing and book-binding business. He had a true talent for rebinding old Bibles and books by hand and enjoyed doing this for many years after his retirement. One of his proudest achievements in his career was being involved in the creation of the large Lookout Mountain Museum guest register, which held space for 200,000 signatures of guests visiting the tourist attraction.   

He was a charter member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Dalton and most recently a member of Big Canoe Chapel.

He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and was a friend to all he met.   

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Rosene Couch Fraker; parents, Heartsel and Byrd Fraker; brothers, Richard and Earnest Fraker; sisters, Dorothy Kendrick and Mary Hackney; nephew, James F. Fraker. 

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Jon H. and Deanna Fraker of Big Canoe; daughter and son-in-law, Lynne and Jeff Dodson of Big Canoe; granddaughter and husband, Melissa and Brent Schofield of Suwanee; grandson, William Harrison “Will” Dodson of Big Canoe; great-grandchildren, Bonnie Katherine “Bonnie Kate” and Jonathan Kolbie “Jake” Schofield of Suwanee; nieces, Carolyn Cleveland, Nancy Cochran and Karen Brown. Several great-nieces and nephews also survive.  

Due to the current situation with COVID-19, there will be a private graveside service for immediate family in Whitfield Memorial Gardens in Dalton. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of William H. Fraker to the North Georgia Veterans, 10923 Big Canoe, Jasper, GA 30143. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of The Retreat at Jasper and to Compassus Hospice of Ellijay for their dedicated and loving care of Bill. 

Love Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements 

Dawson County News, July 22, 2020