Meril W. Fraser, 82, gave up his fight for life March 18, 2015. Meril had been battling a month long illness that he just could not beat. He was a fighter. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Saturday evening in North's Memorial Chapel, 242 Orange Street. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday in Midway Cemetery, Hodges, Texas under the direction of North's Funeral Home. Hendrick Hospice Chaplin Larry Millican will officiate. Meril was born on August 30, 1932 in Colorado City to Virgil and Alma Fraser. His family moved to the Hodges area when he was a young child. He attended Hodges and Hawley schools from the 1st thru the 12th grade. Basketball was his passion and upon graduation he received a basketball scholarship to Hardin – Simmons College. In December 1952, he married Barbara Yvonne Brewer, and on that day he became a father to Karron, Barbara's daughter. Meril and Barbara had one son, Ty Weldon. Meril worked at AAA Heating & Plumbing for approximately 30 years. He then started his own business, Meril Fraser Construction. In time Barbara's illness called for him to retire and care for her, and he did that for thirteen years. He was and will always be in our hearts. He was a good husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. We were all so very fortunate to have him in our lives. Over the years Meril had many close friends and acquaintances. Some called him the "Pecan Man", and some called him the "Candy Man". He shelled and sold the "best" pecans for many years, and he always had peppermints and Double Bubble in his pockets for all. Meril was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Alma Fraser, wife, Barbara Yvonne, his son, Ty Weldon, brothers, Harold and Gene Fraser. He is survived by his daughter, Karron Johnson and her husband Don, grandchildren; Kendra Gregory, Tiffany Watts and husband Rusty, great-grandchildren; Garrett Watts and his wife Lane, Kaylie Dillon, Tanner Watts, Hunter Gregory, Kelsey Gregory, and Lexi Gregory. Meril was also blessed with an extended family of great-grandchildren, Tana Allmand and husband Robert, great-great-grandchildren; Jordan, Colton, and Brennan Allmand, and Ace Minze, niece, Terry Fraser Montgomery and husband Monte, nephews; Dwayne Fraser, Troy Fraser, and Steve Fraser. The last year of Meril's life, was spent at Northern Oaks Nursing Home. During that year he made some truly good friends. The family would like to let everyone there know how much we and Dad grew to love so many of you. You became our extended family. Thank you for the love and care you showed him and us. The family would also like to express their sincere appreciation to the nursing staff at Hendrick Memorial Hospital (6th floor) for the care and compassion shown to my dad, "Our Papa", and to our family for the month we were there. Also, we would like to thank the hospice nurses which made the worst week better by doing the best for our family. To all of you, thank you so much – we will always be grateful. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial donations be made to Hendrick Hospice, 1682 Hickory Street Abilene, Texas 79601. And last but not least, a special love and thank you to the sister-in-law who became more like a sister, Bette Pitcock. Online condolences may be addressed at www.northsfuneralhome.com