SIOUX CITY -- Wilbur B. "Bill" Frakes, 86, of Sioux City died suddenly Monday, April 2, 2012, at his residence.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Roger Madden officiating. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.
Mr. Frakes was born Aug. 5, 1925, in Webster City, Iowa. He graduated from Webster City High School. Bill joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and served his country in the South Pacific during World War II. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa and his master's degree in educational administration from the University of Northern Colorado. He began his educational career teaching business in Manchester, Iowa, in 1948.
He was married to Mary Ellen Page on Aug. 17, 1951, in Greeley, Colo. He moved to Sioux City in 1952, where he was a teacher, counselor and assistant principal at Leeds High School. He served as an assistant principal at North High School from 1972 (when North High opened up), until 1990, when he retired from the Sioux City Community School District. In retirement, Bill worked with the Dakota Dunes Association and at Luken Memorial. He also volunteered at the Department of Health and Human Services.
He was a member of the National Education Association as well as state and local educational associations. Bill was a 60-year member of First United Methodist Church, where he served on various committees including the education commission and the board of trustees. He was a member of Friends of the Wilbur Aalfs Library, American Legion, Crime Stopperrs and Masonic Order.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen of Sioux City; his daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Jim Curry of Norfolk, Neb.; his granddaughter, Gillian Curry of Norfolk; his sister-in-law, Nancy Ankrum of San Francisco; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sally and Jim Stout of Albuquerque, N.M.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; and a brother.
Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church, the Sioux City Humane Society and the Friends of the Wilbur Aalfs Library.
Diane Baker (Shanafelt)
Mr. Frakes was one of the nicest people I ever met. Even after high school, up to the week prior to his death, he would greet me with a big bear hug and ask about the family, whether we were at El Fredo's or in the middle of the grocery store.. He was always smiling. When you were talking with him, he made you feel like you were the only person that mattered. I will miss him greatly.