William 'Bill' Fritz

Bill Fritz

William "Bill" Henry Baker Fritz, 46, of Cheboygan, enjoyed a career as conservator for Mackinac State Historic Parks. Mr. Fritz died suddenly Wednesday, March 28, 2007.

He was born October 28, 1960, in Highland Park, Illinois, to David and Elizabeth (nee Baker) Fritz. He was graduated from Highland Park High School in 1978, then earned a bachelor's degree in anthropology from Michigan State University (MSU).

Mr. Fritz married Brenda Guertin May 23, 1992. Mr. and Mrs. Fritz have a daughter, Shanon, a son, Taylor, and a granddaughter, Layla, and the family lives all together at the Fritz home on Mullett Lake.

After working for the state parks as a college student, Mr. Fritz took a job as conservator upon graduation, a job he loved and held for more than 20 years.

An avid sports fan, Mr. Fritz was devoted to the MSU Spartans. With his wife, Brenda, he coached their son's soccer team last year, and he coached his son's hockey team for the past six years. This year's team, the Werner Lightning, won the Jim Elenbaas Challenge Cup Tournament. Mr. Fritz enjoyed working with the youngsters and was proud of all of their accomplishments, family members said, including having the best record in the hockey league for the year.

Mr. Fritz enjoyed scuba diving, golf, traveling, photography, and video taping team games and special family occasions.

He served as first reader, Sunday school teacher, usher, and treasurer for Christian Science Church.

Mr. Fritz was a member of the Michigan Alliance for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, serving on the board of directors and as past president. He was a member of the Mackinac Associates and president of the Birchwood Association.

He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, and granddaughter, all of Cheboygan, his mother, Elizabeth Fritz, and a sister, Rebecca Fritz, both of Burlington, Wisconsin, an aunt, Cyntha Baker of Cheboygan, and many other friends, family members, athletes, and coworkers.

Mr. Fritz was preceded in death by his father, David Fritz.

A memorial service took place Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church of Cheboygan with The Reverend George Lewis officiating. Family and friends gathered at the church from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Mackinac Associates, the Christian Science Church of Cheboygan, or the Cheboygan Hockey Association.

Nordman Funeral Home made arrangements for the family.