William C. "Bill" Franklin

William C. "Bill" Franklin, age 85, of Stover, passed away Saturday morning, November 9, 2013, at the Golden Age Living Center in Stover.
He was born August 16, 1928, in Olean, a son of William T. and Faye Thompson Franklin. On April 10, 1955, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Stover, Bill was united in marriage to Phyllis Parker, who survives at their home.
He was a 1947 graduate of Eldon High School.
Bill was an Army veteran, serving his country in the Korean War.
He worked for the Fajen Lumber Company in Stover, retiring after 40 years of employment. He also owned Franklin's Wildflower Honey, harvesting and selling local honey from his own hives, as well as providing bee removal from local residences.
He was confirmed as an adult at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Since the early 70's he has been a faithful member of the Christ Lutheran Church in Stover. He was a member of the Galloway-Martens American Legion Post 343, served on the Morgan County R-I School Board and as a Stover City Councilman for several terms.
When Bill wasn't working, he was in his garden or plowing gardens for friends and neighbors. He was known for his green thumb, growing beautiful strawberries, tomatoes and green beans, to name a few of the produce items he enjoyed providing for his family and friends.
He was an avid sports fan, enjoying the Royals, Chiefs, Cardinals and the Missouri Tigers. He also looked forward to cheering on his grandchildren during their school sporting events.
He liked going to the family cabin at the lake, where he could spend an afternoon fishing or a weekend camping. However, his greatest enjoyment in life came from his family, especially the time he could spend with his grandchildren.
In addition to his wife of 58 years, he is survived by three children and their spouses, Kathy and Bill Marriott of Versailles; Annette and Ralph Dumas of Columbia and Alan and Lisa Franklin of Blue Springs; one brother and his wife, Dan and Ruth Franklin of Smithville; a sister-in-law, Georgetta Franklin of Eldon; seven grandchildren, Adam Geary and wife Ashley, Andrew Geary and wife Delynne, Aaron Geary, Sean Dumas, Justin Dumas and wife Ashley, Morgan Franklin and Alexander Franklin, five step grandchildren, Michele, Jennifer, Ryan, Brandon and Stephanie, six great grandchildren, Caden and Riley Paige Geary, Hudson and Emma Geary and Tyler and Kinsley Dumas, ten step great grandchildren, along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Tolivar and Jim Franklin and four sisters, Helen Davis, Lucille Esce, Carrie Johns and Wanda Franklin.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 13, at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stover with Pastor Tom Tuura officiating. Military honors will be rendered by the Galloway-Martens American Legion Post 343. Interment will be in the Kipp Addition of the Stover Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 12, at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Stover. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Christ Lutheran Church or the Golden Age Living Center Guild.

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