ROCHELLE — Billy F. Fry Sr., 78, of Rochelle, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. He was born Aug. 23, 1940, in Malden, Missouri, the son of Oscar and Lillie (Stewart) Fry. Billy married the love of his life, Martha Gould, on April 7, 1959.

Billy was a kind man with an incredible work ethic, his early career was spent farming in Missouri and retired from Kraft Foods in 2007. He was a friend to anyone he met. Billy enjoyed farming, camping, southern food and Pepsi. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. Billy had a smile as wide as the Mississippi River and a warm wave. He will be forever in the hearts of those he loved.

Survived by his loving wife, Martha; daughters, Donna (Daniel) Trout and Tallie (Bob) Wenzel;  son-in-law, Steve Fox; grandchildren, Heather (Danny) Brown, Jessica (Jamie) Levi, Laura (Dan McLaughlin) Kessinger, Rachel (Phil) Castelli, Michael (Katie) Wenzel, Emma Wenzel and Abby Wenzel; great-grandchildren, Clayton and Ivy Brown, Mason, Mitchel, Hattie and Macklin Levi, Haley Kessinger, Hunter and Harley Blair, Brandon Payne and Dylan Hicks; numerous nieces and nephews; special friends, Betty and Harold Rains and Pat Lovelady.

He is predeceased by his parents; sons, Teddy Ray and Billy F. Fry Jr. and six brothers.

The family would like to thank the caring and compassionate staff at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center and Rosewood Care Center.

Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 North Rockton Ave., Rockford. Visitation will be held from 12 p.m. until time of service, Saturday, Oct. 20 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a cause to be determined at a later date.

Share memories of Billy online at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.