William M. Frazier

William M. Frazier, 89, of Huntington, West Virginia, passed away peacefully at The Woodlands on September 4, 2018.  Funeral services will be conducted by Beard Mortuary with Bill Wilson presiding. He was born March 9, 1929, in Huntington, the son of the late Thomas J. Frazier and Edna Wiseman Frazier.  He was a practicing attorney with a diverse and distinctive career.  He graduated from Marshall University and the West Virginia University College of Law.  He put himself through school working various jobs including driving a taxi cab.  Once out of law school, he joined the late O. Jennings Rife and eventually formed Rife & Frazier.  After Mr. Rife’s death, he was a sole practitioner until he joined with Leon K. Oxley, forming Frazier & Oxley, which continues to serve clients today as Frazier, Oxley & Proctor.  Bill was a former attorney for the Cabell County Commission and an officer of the Cabell County Bar Association.  He relished a good fight and once brought a proxy fight against a New York Stock Exchange Company which was covered by the NY Times.  He formed two national banks and acted as president of each, Valley National Bank and Old National Bank, which is now part of City National Bank.  He served in the Army, stationed at Fort Bragg and Honolulu, Hawai’i.  All who knew him knew of his love for practical jokes and his passion for turkey hunting.  He was preceded in death by his sister, Lois Jean Frazier. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Peggy Joyce, his daughter, Amy in Senatobia, Mississippi, and his son Michael (Sharon), who had the privilege of practicing law with him.  He is also survived by his three grandsons, Dru, Sam and Will Frazier, who he adored, and his faithful companion poodle, Abby. In addition to turkey hunting and joking, he loved Marshall sports and was a proud supporter of both Marshall and West Virginia Universities.  His unique laugh and sense of humor will be missed but his character and integrity will be remembered by all who knew him.  The family would like to thank the employees of Hospice for their excellent care in his waning days and Linda Estep for her care and compassion. The family will consider all of Bill’s many friends as honorary pallbearers. Friends may call at Beard Mortuary Friday, September 7 from noon to 2pm, with the service following immediately thereafter.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Baddour Center, Post Office Box 97, Sentobia, MS, 38668.