William Joseph Fritz

FRITZ, William Joseph, 86, of Tucson, AZ, died Tuesday, December 5, 2017. He was born September 10, 1931 in Kittanning, PA, the son of William and Grace (Shoemaker) Fritz. Bill grew up on a dairy farm in West Kittanning, PA. He served as an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Navy during the Korean war. In 1957 he married Jewell Faith of Kittanning, PA. In 1958 they moved to Tucson, AZ with a lot of hopes and dreams and a baby on the way. In the early years in Tucson he worked in the mobile home industry but spent most of his career working in and around the copper mining industry. He was a mechanic who could fix just about anything. He always stepped up to serve as PTA president, got involved in school and community groups, and helped to register voters. He enjoyed hiking the mountains around Tucson. He will be deeply missed by his son, Wesley and his wife, Toni; son, Bradley and his wife, Gail; grandsons, Tyler and Brandon. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Jewell; his parents; sisters, Pearl and Rosella; and grandson, John Bradford Fritz. Friends and family will be received from 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2018, at the ADAIR FUNERAL HOME at 8090 N. Northern Ave., Oro Valley, AZ 85704. A Memorial Service will begin at 4:00 p.m. where those gathered will be invited to speak and share their memories of Bill. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to your favorite charity in Bill's name. Arrangements by DELLAVECCHIA, REILLY, SMITH & BOYD FUNERAL HOME, INC.