Alva William "Bill" Frazier

Alva William “Bill” Frazier, 92, of Johnson City, died on December 31, 2023.

               He was born in Johnson City, TN in 1931 and graduated from The University of Tennessee in 1953. After graduation, he was employed at TVA’s fertilizer research center in Muscle Shoals, AL where he worked as an analytical microscopist for 40 years. He was granted seven U.S. Patents, produced 66 publications for several technical journals and served on the editorial board for two technical journals.

Over the years Bill engaged in many hobbies, including astronomy, photography, duplicate bridge, collecting antique clocks and many other interests. He was an active member of the Florence Astronomy Club that manufactured and donated a 14” telescope to the University of North Alabama in 1967, which was the second largest telescope in the state at that time.

               After retirement in 1993, he enjoyed exercising his chemical microscopy skills at Forsythe and Long Industries and Applied Chemical Technology, both located in Florence, AL. Bill continued to apply his analytical skills playing duplicate bridge and collecting/repairing antique clocks and he could be found every Tuesday morning with other TVA retirees having breakfast at Jack’s restaurant.

               After a stroke limited his mobility, Bill relocated to Johnson City, TN where he continued to be physically and mentally active for his last four years. He played duplicate bridge and bingo, reconnected with friends from The Science Hill Class of 1948, exercised every day, and made new friends in his community at Town View Senior Living. His indomitable spirit and happy demeanor made him a pleasure to be with until the very end.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Gussie Irick Frazier; one son, Gordon Frazier; one brother, Leon Pierce; and one sister, Betty Johnson.

He will be missed by: son, Tony Frazier (Tuscumbia, AL); daughter, Linda Frazier Guimond and her husband Mark (Johnson City, TN); daughter-in-law Sue Frazier (Trussville, AL); five grandchildren, Rachel Frazier, Wesley Frazier, Troy Bethune, Amber Bethune, and Luke Guimond; as well as two great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.