Bill Franklin

Franklin, Bill W., age 87, of Manchester, Mo., peacefully joined the Lord, Friday, May 13, 2016, in Ballwin, Mo. He was born on July 27, 1928, in Fulton, Missouri to Jewett and Myrtle Franklin. He graduated from Fulton High School in 1946. Bill joined the U.S. Navy, where he served two years. After returning home, he attended Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri and Westminster College in Fulton. He was then accepted into Officers' Candidate school in Fort Riley, Kansas. Upon graduation he married. They had four children: Allen (Patti), Cliff (Jade), Jennie (Samm) Tague, and Edward "Ted" (Lynn). He served one year in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers during the Korean conflict. Upon his return, he attended Rolla School of Mines where he received his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering. Bill worked for Caterpillar in Peoria, Illinois and then the St. Louis County Water Department, from which he retired in 1992, as the construction and maintenance supervisor. His hobbies included sailing for many years at Caryle Lake and then took up kayaking at the age of 80. He was a longtime member of Bonhomme Presbyterian Church in Chesterfield. Beloved husband of 43 years of Marie Elva Franklin (nee Torrence). In 1973 he married the love of his life and adopted her daughters, Sharon (Nick) Elliott and Kathy (Russ) Sharpmack. He is a grandfather of 18 and great-grandfather of eight and one half. Loving brother of Frieda Lubkeman and Carroll (Fran) Franklin. Beloved uncle, cousin, and friend to many. Funeral service will be at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road, Ballwin, MO on Wednesday, at 10:00 a.m. Interment with full military honors will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Cancer Society. Visitation will be Tuesday, from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.