Bill loved sports, especially football, taking long road trips with his family, camping, woodworking, country music and spending time with friends.  

Bill had a heart for students and helping them achieve their best potential. Throughout his teaching, coaching and counseling career he touched the lives of many people.  He cared deeply and loved strongly his family, friends, students, and colleagues.  He was gregarious, compassionate, and generous to all he met.   He was a devoted husband, father, and Uppa (grandfather).  He was greatly loved and will be missed, but his presence will always be near in the impression he has left in all of our lives.

While at Hardin-Simmons, he met Sue Engstrom and following graduation Bill and Sue were married on August 17th 1963.  They started on a joint life long career in education.  Bill taught in Williams, Arizona for a year and Sanders Arizona for 2 years. He and Sue then moved to Redding, California where they were for 34 years.  There he taught science at Anderson High School for a few years and then Central Valley High school for over 30 years.  At CVHS he taught special education, biology and chemistry.  He also coached baseball and football and later served on the school board.  He continued his education to receive a MS in teaching, later followed by counseling.  He worked as a counselor for several years at CVHS.  Finally, he received a Masters in Administration and worked at the continuation High school as Vice Principal.  While in northern California, Bill and Sue had three kids:  Jeremy, Meridi, and Jed.  More recently Bill has enjoyed his 5 grandkids: Nicole (14), Kira (12), Kylah (6), Darin (6) and Kenley (3).  

In 1999 Bill and Sue moved to  Eagle River, Alaska to work in the Anchorage School District.  Bill started at Newhalen School in the small town of Iliamna.  He then went to Anchorage proper working as an assistant principal at Bartlett High school.  He retired from Bartlett in 2008.  Bill and Sue were married for 45 years.  After Sue passed away in May 2008, Bill returned to Redding California where he remained until Fall 2012.  At that time, Bill needed some assistance so Meridi and Jed moved him to an assisted living facility in Carmichael, Ca near Jed.  Bill had a long battle with multiple myeloma cancer.  At the end of his life, he met Elizabeth Senay.  They were recently wed on May 1, 2014.

Bill is survived by his late wife Elizabeth Senay; sister, Doris Ward "Susie"; daughter, Meridi Williams; son, Jed Franklin; son in law, Alan Williams; daughter in law, Corrin Franklin; 5 Grandkids, Nicole, Kira, and Darin Williams, Kylah and Kenley Franklin.

Bill's passing is preceded by his parents Earl and Audrey Franklin, wife Sue Franklin and brother Robert Franklin.   

Bill was born on Nov. 1st 1940 to Thomas and Audrey Franklin.  He was one of 3 chidren.  He spent his early years in Dawson Texas and graduated from Dawson High in 1958.  Following high school, Bill went to the University of Texas, Austin to play football.  He transferred to Hardin-Simmons University in 1961 and graduated with a major in Biology and Chemistry.