Dr. William (Bill) Elton Franklin Jr. went to be with the Lord on Wednesday November 17, 2010. The only child of William Elton Sr. and Myrtle Virginia Franklin. He was born April 8, 1921 in Springfield, Mo. He married Mary Lou Frasier November 21st 1942. They shared almost 60 years of marriage until her passing in 2001. After serving in the U.S. Army during World WarII, he attended Stanford University where he was awarded a PhD in American History. He taught High School, Junior College, and served 25 years as a Professor of American History at Central Michigan University until his retirement in 1985. He returned to Springfield Mo., upon retirement. He and Mary loved to travel visiting all 50 United States and 27 countries abroad. He was very involved at his church and in civic activities.
He is survived by his sister, Mary (Skippy) Johnson, of Springfield; daughter, Jan Lyons and her husband Gary, of Willard; his son, Bruce Franklin and wife Nannette, of Boone N.C.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous friends. His stories and laughter will be missed by all who knew him.
Formal Visitation will be in Greenlawn East at noon on Wednesday, November, 24. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., with internment in Missouri Veterans Cemetery, with full military honors