Albert William Frazier Jr

Born on December 28th, 1941, Albert William Frazier, Jr., “Bill”, left this Earth and was welcomed into his heavenly home on Friday, May 9, 2025. His transition was peaceful, and he was surrounded by family. He was 83.

Bill was born into a lively, musical family and one of faith. From an early age he learned to play the piano and music was an integral part of him for the rest of his life. As a teenager, Bill and his three sisters, Anne Marie, Maureen, and Claire, a.k.a. “The Frazierettes,” would perform all over their home state of Massachusetts "wherever they could get a gig," him playing the piano as accompanist to his sisters' singing trio. These gigs included playing at USO shows on the USS Bennington which was docked at Boston harbor. Legend has it that the performance was so well attended that the ship listed to one side, prompting the need for the attendees to disperse and balance out the ship. The group also made a 45 record! His biggest thrill was playing at the Faneuil Hall in Boston throughout the 1950s. Bill also attended Northeastern University and studied at the Quincy Conservatory of Music.

He subsequently got married to his wife of 59 years, Rita, and started a family. Bill had a few years stint as a bank manager, but after being robbed at gunpoint in the safe while counting money, he decided that banking was not for him! He shifted gears and started a career at Firestone Tire & Rubber Company which carried Bill and Rita, along with their three children, Cheryl, Christine, and Michael, from Hanover, MA, to Lakeland, FL in August of 1971. In 1973 they welcomed their fourth child, William, “Billy.”

Bill worked for Firestone until 1986. Though not officially hired by Resurrection Catholic Church until October 1986 (for both music & caretaker of the grounds), from the moment he and his family moved to Lakeland he was incredibly involved with the choir where his musical talents flourished expansively. Over the course of his 37-year career, he became the Music Director; his broad, evolving role included leading the adult and children’s choirs, orchestrating memorable Christmas Eve Midnight Masses, playing music for more than several hundred weddings and funerals, recording an album comprised of favorite hymns entitled “Break Forth Like the Dawn” with the Folk choir, "The Radiants," as well as other musical performances for the church, one being "Tales of Wonder." When the school was built, he was assigned the role of Music Teacher. “This entailed a lot of work, but it was very enjoyable, especially with the school musicals. (His) favorite, and best, performance was ‘Annie’”.

Known as “Mr. Bill” by the students, he became a beloved pillar of the Resurrection Catholic community and gained notoriety for his cheerful disposition, friendly smile, and passion for music, God, and the church. When he was not working, Bill enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Being naturally athletic, his down time often revolved around camping and sports. In his earlier years, he and Rita were longtime members of a local bowling league. Later he began running and working out at the YMCA where Rita worked and eventually would frequent Cleveland Heights Golf and Country Club where he was a league member, occasionally playing with his friend, Marc VanderPoel, or his grandsons, Jered and George. Throughout his life he rooted for his beloved Boston Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics, and eventually learned to love the Tampa Bay Bucs, Orlando Magic, and the Lightning. In addition to the professional sports teams, he also rooted for the University of Florida Gators where his son, Billy, graduated & the FSU Seminoles where his daughter, Christine, graduated.

Not surprisingly, music was interwoven into Bill’s life outside the church. He would play the piano often for his kids while they danced in the living room and regularly participated in various bands. The infamous “Rubber Band” – constructed of some of his dear friends – entertained many. A favorite family memory is of Bill playing Bluegrass with longtime musician friends at Uncle Ivy's Chicken Farm in Zephyrhills. When he retired in 2011, Resurrection Catholic Church fittingly honored Bill by dedicating the choir loft in his name. He enjoyed retired life for several years and when Rita passed in 2022, Bill moved into Carpenter’s Manor and lived there for his remaining days.

Bill's musical legacy continues through his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his four children: Cheryl, Christine, Michael (Lorrie Ann), and Billy (Sharonda); his seven grandchildren Jered, George, and Julianne (Matthew); Eli (Gracie); Michael Anthony; Maya and Ryan; his two great-grandchildren Esther and Aaron along with his two sisters, Maureen and Claire.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Resurrection Catholic Church on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 11:00, music-filled reception to follow. In honor of dad’s passion for his beloved Red Sox, we encourage those attending to wear blue to his service.