William Fredendall

A memorial service for William "Bill" James Fredendall of South Elgin, Ill. will be held Sunday April 6, 2014 11:00 until time of service 1:00p.m. at the Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory 95 S. Gilbert Rd. (at Middle St.) South Elgin. Cremation was private at the Countryside Crematory.

He passed away on Jan. 30, 2014, following complications from surgery. He was 76. The family and friends he leaves behind will remember Bill for his singular approach to life, which can be summed up in three words: gusto, generosity and humor. Bill spent his adulthood pursuing big experiences beyond his beloved birthplace of Chicago. In his 20s, he completed aviator training with the U.S. Marine Corps, earning his "wings of gold" and piloting a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk attack aircraft for the Marine Corps. He completed his active-duty and reserve service with the Marine Corps and spent the next 33 years as a pilot with Delta Air Lines, rising to the rank of captain. Bill made lifelong friends in his flying days. Travel was one of his great loves. Storytelling was another. Bill often recounted memorable trips to such places as Kenya, Thailand and Italy, punctuating a tale by sharing mementos he had brought back. A gift from Bill likely would come from a far-off place, and would represent the artistry and culture of a land he had visited. An avid outdoorsman, Bill enjoyed fly-fishing the Brooks River in Alaska, camping in his authentically reproduced teepee in Wyoming, or simply surveying the wildlife along the Fox River near his final home in South Elgin. He was happiest when he was surrounded by nature. He generously supported many environmental, animal welfare and Native American causes. Over the years, Bill owned horses and was an adoring master to a succession of dogs, including his last, a golden retriever named Billy Jo. Bill made friends nearly everywhere he went. He could make people laugh. He could be outrageous, sweet, ornery and mischievous. Bill Fredendall was a man with a big personality and an equally big love of life. He will be deeply missed. He leaves behind his loving wife of 17 years, Fran Fredendall; his sister, Janet Freeland; his niece, Deana Freeland; his aunt, Ela Schultz; cousins Roxana Schultz, Lynne Weinberger and Jeff Eckdhal; stepdaughters Linda Freeman, Kelly Scott and Suzann Kelly; friend Clair O’Neill and her daughters, Colleen O’Neill and Molly O’Neill-Schroeer, who were like daughters to Bill; and many dear friends around the world. Bill was a devoted son to his mother, Anita, who preceded him in death.

(847) 289-8054 or www.countrysidefuneralhomes.com.