William Fraess of Linden, Alta., passed on Tuesday (July 21) at the age of 89.
Fraess, born in April 1931 in Humboldt, Sask., to Alex and Betty Fraess, wore many hats in harness racing through a career that spanned from the 1950s to the 1980s. In addition to owning, training and driving Standardbreds, he made and repaired harnesses and owned the Raceway Harness Shop.
Fraess served as the photo finish operator for many years at Stampede Park and Northlands Park, as well as for the chuck wagon races at the Calgary Stampede. He rode in many Calgary Stampede parades and was a member of the Stampede Old Timers Group.
His passions were riding Standardbreds in the mountains and watching wild horses on the Alberta countryside with family and friends.
Fraess was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth; his parents, Alex and Betty; and his sisters, Elsie, Bernice and Dorothy. He is survived by his children, Elizabeth Clark (Larry), Floyd (Linda), Joanne, Gwen Phillips (Larry), Holly McGhan (Rob); brothers, Ron and Ray; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the friends and family of William Fraess.
Very sad to hear of Bill's
Very sad to hear of Bill's passing, truly was a great guy and a character. Back in late 70's and early 80's Bill was running an equipment repair business and always was cashing groom paycheques so they could get through another week. It was at that time he started brewing his famous hoof grease which became a mainstay in Western Canada tack shops for years. I remember shipping over to Moose Jaw Saskatchewan for a Sire Stake and Bill had one in and was going to drive himself which at that time I didn't know he drove. Well we were in the paddock and Bill comes out with his standard green and black colors and a bright yellow scarf around his neck and of course that famous toothpick in his mouth which, to this day I believe was crazy glued in! I said to Bill, where is your whip, he said, don't need one I just use my bare hand! Sure enough down the lane here comes Bill with a rebel yell and a couple of bare handed reminders to the rump of his filly!!
RIP Bill
Derek Wilson