Philip F. Frasher

He attended schools here and due to the school's excellent auto shop facilities, he graduated from Fresno Tech. After graduation he used the shop at his father's Valley Motor Lines business to continue repairing or modifying cars. His love of and fascination with car performance continued until the end. After a summer of fun with cars, Phil enrolled at Arizona State, but withdrew to spend six months in Europe, primarily in Paris and in the Italian Riviera town of Chiavari where he made lifelong friends. He was called home by the draft board during the Korean War, but was able to enlist into the U.S. Air Force and served four years in Denver, Colorado, in England and at the SAC base at Castle Field, Atwater, California. He was overjoyed when he read his orders saying he was being transferred to Castle. He commuted daily and only stayed on base if there was to be an inspection.

In the mid 1960's Phil worked with his longtime friend, Pat MonPere, at Ralph Cross Men's Shop and when Pat decided to open his own store, Phil joined him at Patrick James' first store. Later he worked for Roos Atkins, but left the clothing business for commercial real estate.

In 1980 he and his wife, Wilda moved to Incline Village, Nevada where they skied in the wintered and sculled in the summer, generally enjoying themselves for nearly 30 years. They returned to Fresno in December, 2009 to be near family.

The family wishes to thank the entire staff on the fifth Floor, North Wing at St. Agnes Medical Center, the staff of HyPana Rehab Center and Nancy Hinds Hospice for their care of our much loved husband, father and grandfather. Without Hinds Hospice we truly would have been lost.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Billie Frasher; and his half sister, Mildred Blackburn.

He is survived by Hilda his wife of 43 years; and his children, Dorian Alvarez of Burlingame, Ca., Mark Gregory Frasher and his wife Kellie of Fresno, Aric Frasher and his partner Jerry Martin of Indianapolis, In. and Scott W. Williams of Fresno; five grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

A Memorial Service will be held at John Wesley United Methodist Church, 1343 E. Barstow, Fresno on Saturday, May 21, 2011, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, it would be greatly appreciated if any remembrances would be made to Hinds Hospice, 1616 W. Shaw, Ste. C-1, Fresno Ca. 93711-3513; or to KFSR 90.7, Jazz Programming, 5200 N. Maple, Mail Stop SA 119, Fresno, Ca. 93740.