W. R. (Bill) Franks

W.R. (Bill) Franks, 78 a longtime Fort Sumner businessman died Sunday, July 13, 2003 at Farwell Convalescent Center following an illness. Bill was born September 11, 1924 in Sulphur Springs, Texas to the home of William McKinley Franks and Fay Underwood Franks. He was reared at Pampa, Borger, Skellytown, and White Deer, Texas. He graduated from White Deer High School. Bill attended Eastern New Mexico University for one year before enlisting in the U.S. Navy where during World War II he served 31 months in the South Pacific aboard the USS Saratoga. Following his honorable discharge he returned to Eastern New Mexico University where he continued his studies. His father suffered a heart attack in 1947 and Bill returned to Fort Sumner to assist with the family grocery store. Bill married Charlene Bowen on May 18, 1948 in Santa Rosa, NM. He remained at Franks Country Store until his retirement in 1986. Bill was active in the Fort Sumner community, he served as president of the Lions Club, the Chamber of Commerce, Fort Sumner School Board, coached Little League Baseball, and served as a Cub Scout Den Leader. Bill loved sports; he refereed High School sports for 27 years. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal Baseball fan with many summer vacations spent watching the Cardinals. Bill also enjoyed working in his yard and traveling. He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner. He was preceded in death by his parents. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Survivors include his wife Charlene Franks of the family home in Fort Sumner; daughter Cynthia Elaine Hall of Plano, TX; son William Bruce Franks and wife Carol of Albuquerque, NM; a brother Donald Franks and wife Bobbie of Fort Sumner; two sisters Vida Pruitt of Lubbock, TX and Adie Achen and husband Ty of Las Cruces, NM; four grandchildren, William David Lewis of McKinney, TX; Shannon, Allison, and Jill Franks all of Albuquerque. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many good friends and neighbors. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 15, 2003 from the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner with Rev. Coy Brewer and Rev. Jim Peabody officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Bill Duke, Jim Walling, John McMillan, Curtis Crawford, Steve Gallegos, Bobby Russ, Don Sweet, and Jake West. Honorary bearers will be the Deacons of the First Baptist Church. Visitation will be Monday from 1PM to 6PM at the funeral home and Tuesday from 12 noon to 2:00 P.M. at the church. The family prefers memorial contributions to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Assn. Box 180; Fort Sumner, New Mexico 88119; or the First Baptist Church Building Fund P.O. Box 287; Fort Sumner, New Mexico 88119. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner. www.chavezfuneralhome.com