William Howard Frey, 88: Ran Puritan Chemical Co. in Atlanta

You might say William Frey married into a business.

The soldier had been stationed down South during World War II. While here, he met Brena Feldman, an Atlanta native whose father founded Puritan Chemical Co.

After his military service, Mr. Frey married Ms. Feldman. The couple returned to his native St. Louis, where he finished his education. He earned a bachelor's degree in business and a law degree from Washington University.

In 1947, the couple returned to Atlanta, where Mr. Frey joined his father-in-law's business. The Puritan Co., which was located on Ashby St., manufactured sanitary maintenance chemicals that were sold across the eastern United States.

On Feb. 17,  William Howard Frey of Atlanta died from complications of Alzheimer's disease at the William Breman Jewish Home in Atlanta. He was 88. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. April 12 at Temple Sinai in Atlanta.

In a 30-year career, Mr. Frey held various positions with Puritan. He was president for 12 years, and was at the helm in 1973 when the business was sold to the Dexter Corp., said a son, Adam L. Frey, of San Francisco.

While at the company, Mr. Frey put to practice a philosophy that allowed his employees to develop their skills and, possibly, move up the ladder. He believed, his son said, that the business was a "vehicle for life opportunities."

"He believed a business wasn't just to make a profit," he said. "It's real purpose was to provide people that worked in it a chance to learn and to do, and he put that to work."

Mr. Frey placed high value on education. He immersed himself in books and poetry. Especially poetry.

"He memorized at least 60 poems," his son said. "Even when dementia set in, he could say those poems, though he couldn't remember who people were."

Mr. Frey may have been a successful businessman, but he didn't spend like one. He enjoyed donating to charities, and told his family that giving gave him more joy than anything.

"He loved writing checks to charities," his son said. "He never spent that much money on himself."

Family friend Ted Fisher, of Atlanta, said Mr. Frey's father had served as his role model.

"His dad admonished him to get active in the B'nai B'rith and he jumped right in when he came down here," Mr. Fisher said. "He was brought up believing that that was fundamental to one's life and one's community."

In the 1950s, Mr. Frey served as board president and board member of the B'nai B'rith Gate City Lodge. Moreover, he served as secretary, treasurer and board member of the Temple (Reform Jewish Congregation). He sat on the executive committee of the American Jewish Committee and the board of the William Breman Jewish Home.

Mr. Frey donated his body to Emory University.

"He decided that back in the 1970s," his son said. "I remember we all had to sign the papers."