William Frank "Papa Bill" Froeliger

Mr. William (Papa Bill) Frank Froeliger age 76 of Flowery Branch, Ga passed away on Sunday June 11, 2017 at his residence following a three year long valiant fight against (terminal) lung cancer. Mr. Froeliger refused to give in to the disease, preferring life instead.  And he fought valiantly. In the end, Mr. Froeliger prevailed – passing naturally from an unrelated cause.  He held precious every moment – most especially to attend to the love of his life, his beloved wife Marie (Cook), while she fought the same illness.  Bill was preceded by both his beloved Marie, and his favorite companion (dog) Samson (Froeliger).

Memorial services will be held on Saturday June 17, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Reverend Drewery Loggins will officiate. The family will receive friends on Saturday June 17, 2017 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the funeral home. He will be memorialized receiving full military honors.

Mr. Froeliger was born on April 12, 1941 in Rockford, Illinois to the late Anthony Victor Froeliger and Mary Ann Anderson Froeliger.  He has two siblings: his brother James (deceased), and is survived by his brother Mr. Edward Froeliger (wife Donna).  Mr. Froeliger attended St. Thomas High School and West High School in Rockford until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy - serving oversees in Vietnam in the years preceding the war – and was a Foreman for Lockheed, Corporation in California afterwards. He arrived in Hall County with his newly wedded bride, Marie, and his two new wild, rambunctious sons in 1969.

He retired an Industrial Engineer from Hormel Foods Corporation. (Papa) Bill was always quick to help his friends and family.  He loved to laugh and was a gregarious soul: a long-time member of the Cherokee Gun Club; an NRA Life member; he loved hunting, fishing, working on all things electrical and mechanical, having fun spending time on outings and gatherings with his large, extended family – both in Hall County and in Illinois, and NASCAR.

Papa Bill loved to recount, with chagrin, an episode that occurred while he worked part-time at Home Depot during the NASCAR Sprint race series season. While on break, he took a seat on one of the 3-person outdoor (display) swings admiring the on-display Home Depot (Tony Stewart) race car. As he looked on, a young man asked if he could sit down in the shade with him. They struck up an amicable conversation – one that soon turned to NASCAR. The young man asked Papa who he thought would win the upcoming Atlanta 500. Without batting an eye, papa replied “Dale Earnhardt (Sr.). I don’t think the rest can keep up – he’s too fast.” The young man then replied, “Well, not if I have anything to do with it!”  Papa was rife with embarrassment upon learning he was speaking to Mr. Stewart in-person. Papa brimmed with apologies and the young Mr. Stewart laughed them off – and they laughed together. Though Dale did prevail that race, Papa became from that day forward a loyal Tony Stewart fan from that day forward, and young Tony eventually did win the Atlanta 500 – with Papa cheering every him inch of the way.

Papa Bill is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Hope Teague of Norcross, son, Roy Teague of Flowery Branch, daughter, Lana McGovern of Arizona, 6 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren, and was preceded by his precious late great-grandson, Parker Cash. He will be greatly missed by all.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com