The Brewton community has lost a man best Known throughout the area as a philanthropist and for his time in the National Football League.
William Wayne Frazier Sr., 73, died Sunday, March 11, after an extended illness.
A native of Evergreen, Frazier was best-known in his later years as working with his wife, Wilodyne, before her retirement from the insurance industry. He was a member of Brewton First United Methodist Church and was a volunteer with hospice.
It was in his youth that he gained wide recognition for his ability to play football, in high school, college and in the AFL.
He grew up in Evergreen and graduated from Evergreen High School. He was named to All State and All Southern. He was a Wigwam All American who was widely recruited by several SEC colleges. He signed with Auburn University, he once said, mostly because of Coach “Ralph” Shug Jordan. While playing with Auburn, he played with and against some of the most well known names in college football. When he was a senior in 1958-1961, he played in the Blue-Gray Game, the Senior Bowl and was named to the College All-Stars. He was one of 33 players picked to play against the Green Bay Packers.
He was drafted by both the NFL Chicago Bears, and the AFL San Diego Chargers. He chose to play for the San Diego Chargers (1962), and also played for the Houston Oilers (1965), the Buffalo Bills  (1966) and finally with the Kansas City Chiefs organization (1966-67. He played in what would become the Super Bowl in 1967 where he was the starting center against the Green Bay Packers. Although the Chiefs lost the game, they were given Super Bowl rings, which was the one and only time that was done.
After retiring from professional football, Frazier came back to Alabama and spent several years coaching at Troy State University and then in East Brewton at W.S. Neal High School. He later helped with his wife’s insurance agency until her retirement several years ago. Since then they both were involved with hospice and working with those who are terminally ill.
“He was a very special person,” said David Stokes. “He was an outstanding athlete and played in the first Super Bown I ever watched. I was always humbled by his presence. He is known for what he did in sports, but he and Wilodyne were so good when my father was ill. He was comfortable when they came to sit with him, and he wasn’t that way with many. Wayne was always humble and was never pretentious. He was a generous person and my prayers are with the family.”
Larry White said he remembers that Frazier also coached some in Flomaton.
“I have fond memories of Wayne,” White said. “He coached some at Flomaton while he was rehabbing from an injury when I was young. He was a great guy.”
Frazier died at the age of 73. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ellis and Cora Lee Frazier; and a son, Troy Michael Frazier.
He is survived by his wife, Wilodyne Wiliams Frazier; three sons, a daughter, two brothers; two sisters; and five grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 14, at 1 p.m. at Brewton First United Methodist Church with Dr. Ed Glaize officiating. Burial will follow at Brownville Memorial Gardens in Evergreen with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

For complete funeral information, see the obituary section of this site or Wednesday’s edition of The Brewton Standard.