AUGUSTA - Arthur Wesley Frecker III passed on to his Heavenly Father on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, following a courageous battle with heart disease and diabetes. He was born on Sept. 27, 1935, in Mexico, the son of Arthur W. Frecker II and Arlene Lufkin Frecker. He grew up in the Farmington and Wilton areas, attending East Wilton Elementary School and graduating from Wilton Academy in 1953. He entered the Army in June 1955 and served a tour of duty in Korea with the Army Engineers. Upon his return, he married his high school sweetheart, Joline Trask, in May 1957. After completing his military duties in 1958, he and his wife and their first-born son returned to Farmington, where he assisted his father in planting a very large tree farm on their land on Route 2. They later moved to Machias, where he worked on the construction of the Naval Radio Tower in Cutler. Soon after, they moved to Portland, where he was a heavy-equipment operator and, later, to Jackman to assist his dad in their M&F Logging Corporation for five years. With their three sons, they returned to Farmington, where he was employed by the Dale Carneige Institute. In 1969, he and his family, now four sons, moved to Augusta, where he worked as a heavy-equipment operator for the city of Augusta for several years and then went on to manage the National Metal Convertors business in North Leeds until 1977, when he returned to work for the city of Augusta, later becoming fleet superintendent. He was in charge of overseeing the maintenance of all city vehicles at central garage on North Street. He medically retired in 1996 following complications from heart disease. During his retirement, Wes enjoyed working with wood, producing many beautiful pieces of furniture and toys for his grandchildren, family and friends. He was very active in constructing many wooden pieces each year for the South Parish Congregational Holy Mart, especially the Santa sleighs, both large and small. He had always been an avid fisherman and enjoyed many summers salt water fishing with his sons and grandsons. He loved being on the water sharing special times with his family and friends. Wes was a very loving father and grandfather and his greatest joy was sharing time with each of his very special sons camping, fishing and enjoying the wonders and beauty of nature. He was a very determined man in teaching his sons that anything is possible, with faith in the Lord and never quitting. He had a special smile and twinkle in his eye as he loved to tease his friends and family. He is survived by his wife of 51 1/2 years, Joline Frecker; four sons, Rick L. Frecker and his wife, Lisa, of York, Darrell R. Frecker and his wife, Sandy, of Rome, Dammon M. Frecker and his wife, Abbe, of Lynfield, Mass., and Shawn M. Frecker, of York; four grandsons, William R. Frecker, Thomas J. Frecker, Cameron W. Frecker and Justin C. Frecker; two granddaughters, Jacqueline Riddle and Samantha Riddle; one great-granddaughter, Eyslin Frecker; a sister, Dianna Bachelder; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. There will be no visiting hours. A celebration of life will take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at South Parish Congregational Church, Augusta. Burial will be in the Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 51 Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074; or the American Diabetes Association, 80 Elm St., Portland, ME 04101. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta, 04330. www.khrfuneralhomes.com