Bill W. Fry

Billy Wayne Fry, age 79, passed away quietly in the early morning hours of October 5, 2023, from congestive heart failure. Bill was born on February 25, 1944, in Greenville, TX to Oliver Wendall Fry and Carrie Frances (Prewitt) Fry. At the age of 6, his family moved to Kansas City North where he had resided most of his life.

Bill graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1962, and attended NW MO State University, Maryville MO, and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR. He was a founding father of the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity at both universities.

At the age of 20, Bill married his soulmate, Marcie A. (Rice) Fry. To this 59-year union, two children were born: William Lee Fry and John (Jack) Oliver Fry. Being a gifted salesman, Bill began his working career in the steel tubing industry with C. A. Roberts Co. in North Kansas City.

At the age of 23, Bill received greetings from Uncle Sam and was drafted into the US Army for a 2-year stint. After basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood and AIT at Ft. Knox, KY, Bill was stationed in Berlin, Germany to serve with the 40th Armor Special Troops, Berlin Brigade for the remainder of his service. Bill was proud of his service and considered this to be a highlight of his life. He rose to the rank of Sergeant E-5, was joined by his wife for most of his stint in Berlin and their first son was born there.

Returning to civilian life, Bill continued his career in the steel industry for several years as a salesman traveling the central mid-western states and representing Brown-Strauss Steel, Tube & Steel, and Bull Moose Tube Co. in St. Louis. After promotion to Sales Manager for Bull Moose, Bill realized that he missed direct contact with his customers and perhaps climbing the corporate ladder was not really his thing. He moved his family from St. Louis back to Kansas City and began his own business in late 1981, initially continuing to represent the steel industry. The business, Fry & Associates, Inc., quickly evolved into a manufacturer’s representative in the park and commercial playground industry, supplying equipment and play surfacing to schools, city parks, churches, daycare facilities, etc. in the 4-state area of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska. Bill and his wife, Marcie, have retired from the family business but it continues to be successful under the leadership of Bill’s sons and their wives after more than 40 years.

After retirement, Bill continued his involvement with the North Kansas City Breakfast Club and the Hodge Park Senior Golf League where he has built several strong and lasting friendships over the years. As Bill’s health failed, he missed his golf buddies the past two years but was able to continue attending the Thursday morning Breakfast Club meetings almost to the end. We know he will be missed by his numerous friends as well as his family.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Terry A. Fry, and his sister, Jenny D. Lowe. He leaves his wife, Marcie, and his two sons, William (Margie) and Jack (Marygold), four grandchildren, Amber, Tianna, Ben, and Aliyah, and three great grandchildren, all of whom reside in the Kansas City area. He also leaves brothers-in-law Thomas W. Rice (Carol), and Larry D. Rice (Jennifer) of Grove, OK, and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom loved him dearly.

Per Bill’s instructions, a Celebration of Life will be held at Cascone’s Italian Restaurant, 3733 N. Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64116, on October 17, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please join his family and friends for an evening of remembrance as well as some great food and a few drinks on Bill’s tab.