Frederick William Dreyer Jr.

TAMPA, Fla. - Frederick William “Bill” Dreyer, Jr., 86, of Tampa, Florida, passed away on Sunday, August 1, 2021, in Lexington, South Carolina, after a lengthy battle with heart disease, with his family by his side.

Bill was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, June 15, 1935, and was one of three children born to Frederick William Dreyer, Sr. and Margaret Martin. His childhood was spent in Plainfield, and he graduated from Plainfield High School in 1952. In school he excelled at multiple sports, but his true love and stand out moments lay with the swim team. He and his teammates won several state and local titles. Bill’s specialty was the butterfly stroke for which he held both local and New Jersey state records during his years. He would take those swimming skills onto college where he swam at Florida Southern University and the University of North Carolina.

He served in the Army as a paratrooper, stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in the Army Airborne Division.

It was his swimming prowess that eventually landed him a position as a lifeguard on the Jersey Shore. He would meet the love of his life there in Thelma Helene Dilley while lifeguarding. They were married in 1957 and together moved to Florida, settling in Lakeland, Florida. He began his early life as a salesman and regional manager for Owens Corning Fiberglass. They would shortly move to Tampa were they would start their family with one son, Frederick William Dreyer, III.

After 17 years, Bill began his own insulation and air-conditioning business in Tampa. He, along with Thelma, became actively involved in the fledgling days of Berkeley Preparatory School. They contributed on many levels: to the parent’s athletic club, numerous capital contributions and endowed an academic scholarship fund along with his wife Thelma. It was one of his prideful moments to see where the school had risen to today on Kelly Road. He would often harken back to the days when it was on Davis Islands in an old hotel, with no central air conditioning and outdoor basketball courts.

Bill shared an equal passion for Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, where he served as a Past President, chaired multiple committees and held club board positions. It was here, like Berkeley, he watched a club transition into the premier facility it is today, one he took great pride in. Through the years he was a devoted health and exercise enthusiast and was religious in his workouts at Palma Ceia. He took great pride in his efforts to help shape the exercise facility at the club to where it is today.

Later in his life as his body failed him, he would still “workout” every day. Truth be told he probably spent more time talking with the other folks in the gym, keeping them from their actual workout, but he considered everyone there his family.

Bill was an active sports enthusiast and devoted most of those energies toward pulling for his beloved Tarheels of North Carolina, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rays and Lightning. We are all thankful we could see his joy with watching banners being hosted for national championships in basketball at Chapel Hill. His last three standard poodles he owned were all named Tarheel. The Lombardi and Stanley Cup trophies residing in Tampa this past year were truly special years for him.

Bill will always be remembered as the consummate father and husband. He was loving, protective, firm, a teacher, loyal and always there when needed. Bill’s family was much bigger than his wife and son. He was always welcoming into his world, those he met along life’s journey. He was the first to lend the helping hand to anyone in need.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the health care workers who cared for dad through his many health concerns in his latter days: Dr. Scot Petit, Dr. David Isbell, Dr. William Rambo, the nurses and staff at Still Hopes Assisted Living.

He was predeceased by his wife, Thelma Helene Dreyer, July 2, 2003. They had been married 46 years at the time of her passing. He is survived by his son, Frederick W. Dreyer, III, M.D., and his daughter-in-law, Lynne Higgins Dreyer; his three grandchildren ,Emily Lynne Dreyer, Frederick William Dreyer, IV and John Hampden Dreyer.

A Memorial service will be conducted at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, Tampa, Florida, on October 9, 2021, at 11 a.m., with the family receiving guests immediately following at Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com