William David Franklin, affectionately known as "Pete", was born on October 25, 1927, son of the late Andrew Morrison Franklin and the late Mary Lee Bolden Franklin in Hot Springs, Virginia. He was the third child of nine siblings. Pete departed this life on August 6, 2006 at the Salem VA Medical Center.
He was raised in a loving, Christian home and at an early age accepted the Lord as his Lord and Savior. Pete attended school in Rockbridge County. He later joined the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean Conflict and served for 9 years.
On September 11, 1948 he married Julia Kyle, and this union was blessed with three children.
Later on, Pete rededicated his life to God and became the chairman of the deacon board of the Union Baptist Church where he was instrumental in obtaining preachers to fill the pulpit until a permanent pastor was found. He was a member of the Male Chorus and Senior choir and attended Sunday School. He also delivered meals-on-wheels in Glasgow.
Pete was a good husband and devoted father and grandfather (grandpa, pa-pa and granddaddy) and a devoted uncle to all his nieces and nephews.
He spent many hours reading and meditating. He also loved to go fishing and doing gardening. He took much pride in his yard. He was told he had the most beautiful yard.
He leaves to cherish his fond memories his loving wife of 57 years, 11 months, Julia; two daughters: Teressa Watson and Terry Franklin (Steven Brock), both of Temple Hills, MD; his only son, William Franklin II (Elsie) of Richmond, VA; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren; two brothers: Rev. Tommy Franklin (Lottie) of Roanoke, Va. and henderson Franklin of Glasgow; 3 sisters-in-law, 1 brother-in-law and two very special cousins, a hot of loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2006 at the Union Baptist Church in Glasgow with the Rev. Frederick Ziegler officiating. The Franklin Funeral Home, Lynchburg, handled the arrangements.
