William Albert “Bert” Fridlin went to his heavenly home Thursday, February 15, 2018 after a courageous 22 year battle with lymphoma. Bert was born on October 9, 1940, to Charles Carl Fridlin Jr. and Rema Mae Norris Fridlin of Kokomo, Indiana, where he attended school and was graduated from Purdue University.

In addition to his parents, Bert was preceded in death by his son William Albert “Will” Fridlin Jr., his brother-in-law Dacre Green Davis Jr., and his grandparents Charles Carl Fridlin and Blanche Rice Fridlin, and William Albert Norris and Ora Mae McMillian.

He is survived by his loving and faithful wife Virginia Davis “Ginger” Fridlin; daughter Melissa Laine Fridlin Murrell and son-in-law Jeff Murrell; sister Nancy Van Horn (Louis [deceased]) and brother Charles Carl Fridlin III (Nancy); brothers-in-law William Thomas Davis (Frances), Herbert Motes Davis (Becky), Larry Jack Davis (Linda), Richard Manley Davis; sister-in-law Mary Porterfield Davis Lee; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bert was a faithful and active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Troy, Alabama, and was blessed to be a part of that loving and supportive congregation. He served many years as deacon and in other leadership capacities for Peachtree Christian Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Bert was an active participant in the governments of his community, state, and country.  He genuinely loved people and encouraged and supported his family and friends.

Bert was the Georgia State Director of NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) and served as their lobbyist at the Georgia State Legislature for 22 years. He was involved in managing political campaigns in Georgia and Alabama, and served in several capacities for the Pike County Republican Party, as well as the Keep Troy Beautiful Committee.

He started collecting marbles as a boy, and continued to enjoy collecting antique marbles, as well as glass art by Troy artist Ed Walter and Troy and Pike County memorabilia. One of his main interests was his family history and genealogy, which led him to travel to Germany and Switzerland to do research and meet his cousins who lived there. He developed strong relationships with his new-found cousins.

Bert loved antiques, weeding the garden on his knees, old straw hats, talking on the phone, political campaigns, and most of all working to make a difference in his community. Everyone who met him remembered him, and he spent most of his time developing meaningful relationships and taking care of others. He will be missed by many, many people.

A memorial service celebrating Bert’s life and his home-going will be held Sunday, February 18, 2018 at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Green Hills Funeral Home in Troy, Alabama. Visitation will precede the service from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Calvary Baptist Church and the Pike County Republican Party. Memorials may be made to Open Arms Ministry in care of Riverview Baptist Church at 828 Hwy 231 N, Troy, AL 36081. Flowers will also be accepted.