Billy A Fry

Billy A Fry

Billy A Fry
June 22, 1923 – March 3, 2022
Oskaloosa, Iowa (Kahoka, MO.) | Age 98
Served With Honor ~ United States Military Veteran

Billy A. Fry, 98, of Oskaloosa, Iowa and formerly of Kahoka, Missouri, passed away March 3, 2022, at the MHP Serenity House in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Bill, son of Vernie J. and Lola M. Clifton Fry, was born on June 22, 1923, in Taylor, Missouri into a sibship of four brothers and two sisters. Bill united with the Christian Church in 1938, at the age of 15.

Bill graduated from Williamstown High School in 1942.

On January 18, 1943, he was drafted by the US Army and served with the 34th Infantry Division in WWII (Red Bulls). Bill received his basic training at Camp Barkley, Texas and then to a camp out east for six weeks before he was deployed to Africa to serve as a medic. Later, while in Italy, Bill was taken prisoner of war (May 25, 1944). He received $1 per day for the time he was captured. After thirteen days as a POW, he escaped into the hills of Italy and rejoined with American Troops. He was honorably discharged on January 1, 1946.

Upon his return from the service, he bought a Mack truck and hauled livestock along with his dad for two years. He then took a position with the United States Postal Service where he served as a letter carrier and later Assistant Postmaster. He retired from the post office in August of 1979, after 31 years of service. Upon retirement Bill took over Fry Trucking from his father and later drove school bus.

Bill was united in marriage on July 13, 1946, to Betty N. Byers at the Methodist Church in Kahoka, Missouri. Betty preceded him in death on May 14, 2018. Bill and Betty were the proud parents of one son, Ronnie J. Fry and one daughter, Jana J. Fry. Both Bill and Betty were members of the Kahoka Christian Church.

Bill was a member of the American Legion Herman Blum Post 0192 in Kahoka, Missouri.

Bills’ granddaughter, Kourtney, recently asked him how he wanted to be remembered and his response was: “As an honest and kind man”. Anyone who knew Bill, knows that he truly was honest and kind.

Survivors include his son, Ronne J. Fry of Lake Mary, Florida; his daughter, Jana J. (& Kraig) Van Hulzen of Oskaloosa, Iowa; four grandchildren: Melissa (& Ryan) McDermott of Peoria, Arizona, Mindy (& Kevin) Weber of Scottsdale, Arizona, Kamron Van Hulzen (& Kaci McKewen) of Johnston, Iowa, and Kourtney Van Hulzen of Fulton, Missouri. In addition to his grandchildren, Bill was blessed with four great grandchildren: Nicolette and Patrick McDermott and Tatum and Devon Weber all of Arizona. A brother-in-law, Jack Byers of Quincy, Illinois, and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

In addition to his wife, Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Vernie and Lola Fry; brothers and sister in laws: Brenton Fry, Cecil (& Doris) Fry, Kenneth (& Josephine) Fry, Dorothy (& Raymond) Fountain, Oneta (& Ed) Dray, Roy (& Verna) Fry and Eva Sue Byers, as well as nieces and nephews, and many lifetime friends.

As was Bill’s request, his body has been cremated.
A graveside service will be held at a later date where he and his beloved wife Betty will be buried in the Kahoka Cemetery, Kahoka, Missouri.
Memorials are suggested to the HE Sever Memorial Library in Kahoka Missouri or MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Billy A Fry please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.