Bill Blackburn Fricke

Bill Blackburn Fricke, 82, lifelong resident of North Branch passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024 at his home in the loving care of his family. Bill was born on August 8, 1942 in Marlette, the son of Wilmer “Bill” and Nancy (Blackburn) Fricke.

Bill had an amazingly full life. He graduated from North Branch High School in 1960, where he received the Bronco Award for participating in football, basketball, baseball, and track. Bill attended Western Michigan University where he earned his teaching degree. He later earned his Master’s Degree in Education at Eastern Michigan University. Bill taught history and geography at Vassar Middle School for many years as well as coaching basketball and football at the high school level.

Besides teaching, Bill followed in his father’s entrepreneurial footsteps. He began by helping run the ambulance service with his brothers Bub and Steve as part of the Blackburn Funeral Home, which was owned by his father, Wilmer “Bill” Fricke. Bill briefly owned a small apartment complex before moving on to running the local North Branch newspaper called The North Branch Newsbreak from his garage, but he may be most widely recognized for building and operating The Whistle Stop Party Store for nearly 20 years. The quick stop store not only had a variety of grocery goods but also brought hot meals in the form of broasted chicken, bar-b-que sandwiches, pizza, and deli sandwiches to North Branch. The store allowed patrons to get a hot meal, rent a movie, and fill their pantry all in one stop.

When he wasn’t teaching or behind the counter at the store, Bill could be seen on the golf course with his long time partner, holding a cue stick around a pool table, riding a Harley, or building his model trains. Later in life, no hobby could touch the joy of being with his grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory are his sister Nancy “Sis” Myers; brother Steve Fricke; sons Jon (Tara) Fricke and W. Zachary Fricke; Daughter Victoria Katlyn (Alan) Ellison; Nephew Lee H. Myers; Niece Danele A. Myers; grandchildren Annika Fricke, Freya Fricke, Lucy Fricke, W. Oliver Fricke, Piper Fricke, Layla Ellison, Grace Ellison, Sadie Ellison, and Alan Ellison Jr. Also Kathy Fricke, the mother of his children.

He was preceded in death by his parents Wilmer in 1986 and Nancy in 2010; brothers Jon Stanley Fricke in 1943 and Stanley “Bub” Fricke in 2012; wife Donna Fricke in 2007.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Branch Thrift Shop.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Maria Chase as well as Jon and Tara Fricke for the loving care of their father and brother.

The family will be present for visitation on Monday, December 30, 2024 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, December 31, 2024 from Noon to 1 p.m. The funeral service will be Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Blackburn Chapel-Martin Funeral Home with Pastor Chad Hampton officiating. Bill will be laid to rest at Westlawn Cemetery, North Branch.

You may send an online condolence to the family at www.blackburnchapel.com.

Arrangements by Blackburn Chapel-Martin Funeral Home

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