William Charles Friesen

William Charles "Charley" Friesen, Jr., of Berlin, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at the age of 89, after a brief stay at Delmar Manor Assisted Living in Delmar. Charley was born September 22, 1934 in Baltimore, son of the late William C. Friesen, Sr. and Genevieve Shirley (Reese) Friesen. Charles was raised in Arbutus, Maryland and graduated from Catonsville High School with the class of '52. After serving in the Navy during the Korean Conflict he enjoyed a long and successful career with Koppers Co. and Environmental Elements Corp (industrial gas cleaning industries)-as Senior Draftsman and Senior Quality Control Engineer. While working at Koppers he saved a co-worker’s life and was given a commendation from the State of Maryland. Charley was very active in his community. He was a Life Member of Arbutus Athletic Association where he coached and refereed baseball, softball, football, and basketball, coaching several of his son’s and daughter’s teams. Additionally, he is a past president of Arbutus Fire Department, which he joined in 1956. Other memberships include American Legion Post 109 in Arbutus, Masonic Order AF&AM Lodge #101 in Elkridge, MD, and Fleet Reserve Association in Annapolis. An avid golfer, he was a past member of the Turf Valley CC and more recently, the Ocean City Golf Club. Charley and his family moved to Howard County in the mid-1970’s where his children attended Glenwood Middle School and graduated from Glenelg High School. Shortly after, he moved to Catonsville, and them around 2002, relocated to Bay Vista in West Ocean City for retirement. Here he enjoyed golfing and tending to lawn and garden…and “crossing The Bridge” for grandchildren’s games and school events. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Brenda D. (O'Brien) Friesen; son, Douglas C. Friesen (Peggy) of Eldersburg, MD; daughter, Carol L. Wanamaker (Mark) of Annapolis, MD; and grandchildren, Matthew Friesen of Denver CO, Abby Noble (Tom Orrell) of San Diego, CA, Douglas W, Friesen and Zack G. Friesen of Eldersburg, MD, and Sam R. Wanamaker of Annapolis, MD; great-grandson, Sylan Friesen of Denver, CO; beloved sister-in-law, Michele O’Brien of Emmitsburg, MD; and many additional family members and friends. No formal services will be held at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department, 5200 Southwestern Blvd, Arbutus, MD 21227 or to a charity of your choice in Charley's honor. Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.

William Charles Friesen

September 22, 1934 - March 30, 2024