William Ralph Fread

William "Bill" R. Fread, 74, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away on Monday, February 12, 2024, at his home in Lexington, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on June 29, 1949, in Petersburg, Virginia to Harold Lee and Lorene Ruth (Mansir) Fread. The family spent many years traveling and spent some time in El Paso, Texas, where Bill graduated from Irvin High School with the class of 1967. In later years, he would go on to Southeast Community College in Lincoln to obtain his trucking license. In 1969, Bill joined the U.S Marine Corps and then later joined the U.S. Army where he proudly served his country. In the early 1980's, Bill made his home in Lexington, Nebraska. He was a jack of all trades and held many jobs over the years. He worked at Builder's Warehouse, worked for the Gas Company as well as did trucking and hauled fertilizer for the co-op. On May 30, 1997, Bill was united in marriage to Lisa Rapp in Lexington, Nebraska where she welcomed his daughter, Molly.

Bill loved working with his hands, whether it was woodworking, leatherworking or maintaining his beautiful garden. He could fix just about anything and always found a way to make old things that had been thrown away, work like new. He was one of the many comedians in the family and always had the best one-liners. He always wanted to make people smile and laugh. Bill held a special place in his heart for his grandchildren and his nieces and nephews, who he would dote on. Over the years, Bill also became an animal lover and appreciated the unconditional love he would receive from his beloved fur companions. He was a good man with a heart of gold.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of almost 27 years, Lisa Fread of Lexington; daughter, Molly (Brandon) Tipton of El Paso, Texas; grandchildren, Colin and Amelia Tipton of El Paso, Texas; brother, David (Chris) Fread of Lexington; sisters, Cindy Wheeler of Lincoln and Kathy Fread of Grand Island; mother-in-law, Winona Barker of Lexington; brothers-in-law, Dave Hall of El Paso, Texas, Tim Boomhower of Lexington and Carl Barker, Jr. of Norfolk; sisters-in-law, Tammy Johnson of Grand Island, Brenda Bodfield of Minden, Marsha (Don) Young of Lexington, and Rebecca Harris of Kearney; his loving fur companion, his dog Ralphie; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, extended family and many friends.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, his sister, Debbie Hall, sister-in-law, Susie Boomhower, brothers-in-law, Paul (Buster) Bodfield and Dave Wheeler, and the first fur companion who taught him how to love dogs, Sammie.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, February 19, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington, with Pastor Rex Adams, officiating.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 18, 2024, with family receiving friends from 3-5 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.

Interment with Military Honors will be held at Greenwood Cemetery.

Memorials are kindly suggested to Tunnels to Towers Foundation or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com