Mr. Fritz longtime hair stylist icon who tousled and teased Baltimoreans for nearly 55 years passed away peacefully on September 8, 2010 at the Gilchrist Hospice in Towson.The longtime Phoenix, Maryland resident was 85.
After serving his country in World War II as a marine, he wanted to become a barber but was encouraged by his two uncles to go into hair styling. On a GI Bill, he studied at Marinello School of Beauty and became a hair stylist. He won many awards for his work.
Mr. Fritz opened his salon 55 years ago under his own name. His large salon formerly a Read's store was located in Pikesville. The bulging appointment book kept two receptionists,nine manicurist and 25 operators busy.
Tradition was an important part of this classic beauty salon. There was a family feeling in the salon. All customers seem to know each other. There were mothers who brought in their daughters and there would be three generations of families who came to the salon, it was a household name. Customers kept coming back because of the service and people. He worked on the tresses of actresses Loretta Young, Tallulah Bankhead, Penny Singleton, Gail Storm, Joan Blondell, pianist Hildegarde, many wifes of the Baltimore Colts, Baltimore Orioles as well as many local celebrities.
Mr. Fritz's late wife Anna of 62 years, was one of the most important members of the staff. She worked side by side with her husband and wore many hats to make the business successful.
He was a lifetime member of Bally Health Fitness and never missed a week of working out and meeting up with his workout buddies up to the age of 85 years old.
Surviving are his son William L. Fritz and his wife Debbie, daughter, Laurie Bova and her husband Stephen, son, David J. Fritz and his wife Stacy, dear brother of Eileen Cox and her husband George, dear brother-in-law to Margie and her husband Tom Kelly, loving grandfather to Kelly, Frank, Derek, Kim, Keith, David, Brendan, Aidan, and great grandfather to Gianna. Dear uncle to Jim and Kathy Schwartz, Roger and Michelle Sullivan, Tom and Judy Kelly, Jack and Connie Sellers, Sharon Powell, Bill and Fran Cox, Karis Cox, Jonathan and Glynis Cox. Also survived by many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Family and Friends will honor William Fritz's life at a memorial service held at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens on September 25, 2010 at 11 A.M. In lieu of flowers,memorial contributions in William's name may be made to American Cancer Society 8219 Town Center, Baltimore, Maryland 21236 or to the Disabled American Veterans P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301, Attn: Gift Processing. Arrangements by Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc.