William J Frichtl
William James Frichtl, age 72
November 17, 1948 – February 11, 2021
William James Frichtl, age 72, of Greenville, South Carolina, passed away at 11:15 AM Thursday, February 11,2021.
Due to Covid-19, a joint funeral Mass for Bill and his sister Christine, who passed away in December, will be celebrated later in the year at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Urbana, Illinois. Private family committal services will be held with burial in the Old St. Peter Cemetery east of Newton, Illinois. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com
Bill was born on November 17, 1948, in Newton, Illinois, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth “Betty” (Rudolphi) Frichtl.
Bill received his BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois. He spent most of his career working in Alaska for Alyeska on the Trans Alaskan Pipeline System. He was there for the startup of the pipeline, retiring in 2015 after 38 years with the company, helping to keep the pipeline operating. He loved his job, all the people he worked with, and he loved Alaska. He would probably still be there if not for his 22-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Bill is survived by:
Siblings – Patricia Kaus of Chadron, Nebraska; Thomas (Ann) Frichtl of Urbana, Illinois; Barbara (James) Klein of Marion, Iowa; Paul (Marsha) Frichtl of Springfield, Virginia; Tony (Jane) Frichtl of Taylors, South Carolina; and Marie Ann Frichtl of Newton, Illinois.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Christine Frichtl, Jo Ann Frichtl and Mary Frichtl.
The family respectfully requests memorials be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Larry Motschenbacher
Note received from Tom & Jane Frichtl
“Thank you all for sharing your memories of my brother, Bill. He had asked me to help him in October, 2019, because he knew he could no longer live on his own. We moved him to South Carolina, and he found an assisted living facility close enough to downtown Greenville so that he could walk to several different really good craft brew pubs. At least he was able to take those daily walks until Covid-19 put everything into lockdown. We really thought we would have him for several more years, but Parkinson’s had other plans. In one of the last conversations I had with him, he told me he felt like he was losing the battle. At least, my wife and I were able to visit him daily at the end. I was with him when he passed, and he was at peace."
Tony & Jane Frichtl
Mark Dahl
I can recall the days (and nights) in OCC when some part of the control system was in disarray and we’d seek the calm, unassuming voice of Bill on the other end of a phone. He’d ask methodical, succinct questions about what was happening. Then he’d say, “Hmmmm,” for a moment or two before providing sage, razor-sharp advice about what to do next and by following it, we’d soon restore order to the system. Many have it expressed it best: he was an engineer’s engineer. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him and he is sorely missed. I pray his loved ones find solace in faith and family.
Pictured is the long-slumbering RGV and Hybrid Logic cabinets at PS04, one of Bill's many legacies.
Linda Powell
What I admired most about Bill was his ability to 'keep his eye on the ball' no matter what corporate chaos was going on around him. He was admired by so many. That's a life well lived. May his memory be a blessing.
Barbara Harmon
What I remember the most about Bill was that he was a workaholic. Back in the mid 1990s (during the M&M days) Bill was in his office hours after everyone went home. He was there every weekend. HR would get on his case to take some of his abundant vacation time. He rarely took it. Or he would take it, but then I'd see him seek into work. He didn't goof off. Bill was a brilliant quiet man. RIP Bill
Ben Holeman
There isn't much I can say that hasn't already been said. I have a short story to share. Everyone remembers Bill's rusty old faded yellow pickup... The "Heap of the Week !". One day, Bill came to the OSF where I was assigned, to attend or teach a class and he parked his "Bucket of Bolts" pickup next to the building. Later, Bill came outside as did others for a smoke break. Can you believe someone plastered Bill's pickup with "Hazards Waste" stickers ?? He looked at me and pointed his finger. Was difficult to get anything over on Bill. Now I feel bad RIP my friend................
Laura Meadors
A brilliant man with a gentle soul. Now free of that cruel disease. RIP
Randy Redmond
...great guy, kind heart, excellent engineer, also always had a smile on his face...
Larry Blachut
Bill always did top quality work and made sure that anyone working around him did the same.
Howard Echo-Hawk
02.24.22
Oklahoma City
Bill,
Sorry I didn't get to see you before you left.
Bill came to PS9 after the PS8 event in Startup. PS9 became the most critical station on the PL.
He set up the control systems for the Veritrak speed loops. We shutdown 5 or 7 times that day while he & his helper engineer adjusting the gain and reset and proportional settings for the new systems.
One night I changed 2 breakers for the MLU's and had a pretty interesting night. I wrote the report and sent it. Bill called me later and asked how I was doing. He knew exactly what I was experiencing and was checking up on me.
As others have said. There is no one like Bill.
I initiated a change from the original legacy Isolate Station Shutdown logic from a sequenced closing and opening of valves to a shotgun closing/opening of the valve logic which saved 3.5 minutes. I called Bill about the feasibility. As said, he waited a few seconds then said sure we can use the 4X relay contacts 4 & 5!!!! HE KNEW THE LOGIC relays and contacts WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE PRINTS!
Amazing man.
RIP Bill you did your job well.
Howard
Michael McGehee
Bill Frichtl was top notch. Always helpful and very sharp. I remember early in the 80's when we had the fire at Pump station one Bill and Paul Kluber worked night and day to get the station back on line. He continued to impress over the years. Brilliant engineer and just as good in the field as in the office. Very happy I had the opportunity to work with him. God's speed Bill. RIP