Wilbur "Tim" Frable, 93 years of age, a resident of Sixth Street Weatherly, Pennsylvania passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 10, 2017, at Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton Campus.
Widower of Dorothy C. (Jeavons) Frable his wife of fifty-two years who died on October 26, 1999, he is survived by; daughter, Sharon Watson and her husband Tom of Mount Sidney, VA, ; brother, Paul Frable and his wife Marion of CO; many nieces, nephews and friends.
Born Thursday, March 27, 1924 in Weatherly, Pennsylvania the son of the late Howard, and Grace (Faust) Frable. He was also predecased by a sister, Mrs. Grace Reinbold; brother, Mr. Howard Frable.
A Weatherly High School graduate and President of the class of 1942 , Tim enlisted into military service on April 28, 1943. entering the Aviation Cadet program, becoming a fighter pilot as a P-47 Thunderbolt Pilot. Immediately sent to the Pacific Theater of Operations he began his service on a P-51 Mustang Fighter Aircraft. Stationed on Shima Island off the Northwest Coast of Okinawa, Tim flew 23 missions, and on his last he had to bail out over the Pacific Ocean, spending five days and nights in a one-man raft without food or water. On August 15, 1945 Tim was sighted by a B-24 Liberator Bomber, and was picked up by a Navy Martin Mariner PBM-5 flying boat a day after the war ended on August 14, 1945. Tim, liked to think he had the distinction of being the last survivor to be rescued after the war.
At war's end he signed up for an extra six months and was made Flight Leader. Moving to Japan, he flew out of Ashiya Base and then transfered to Itami Army Air Base carrying out reconnaissance and surveillance missions. Tim was discharged on July of 1946.
Returning back to Weatherly he was a wall paperer, and painter until entering Bloomsburg University earning his education degree. Tim was an Earth and Space Science Teacher while his wife Dorothy the School Nurse for the Upper Marion School District in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania until he retired in 1983.
Upon retirement, Tim and Dorothy returned home to Weatherly. Tim helped to form the Weatherly Area High School Alumni Associaition, serving as President for 13 years, Vice President for 1 year, and as Chairman and Co-chairman of the Scholarship Program Committee for 6 years. Tim liked to Travel fish and enjoy the outdoors.
Private funeral arrangement's have been entrusted to the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation Services 211 First Street Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255. (570) 427-4231 Memorials in his name to the Weatherly American Legion Post #360Plane Street, Weatherly, Pa. 18255
Online condolences may be made to the family at
www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com