He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Florence T. "Vickey" Franks.
Bill joined the Civilian Division of the U.S. Army Transportation Corp during World War II where he operated a tugboat in Charleston, S.C. After the war he worked for C&O Railroad in Kentucky and Richmond, where he met his wife. After working for the railroad, Bill went on to open several retail shops including Bob's Hobby Center, which later became The Hobby Center. He was a Founding Director of Heritage Savings and Loan. He excelled at woodworking and furniture making, but his favorite times were spent on the water on his fishing boats from the Chesapeake Bay to Hatteras, or on a cruise ship crossing the Atlantic, the Equator or the Panama Canal.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, William F. "Biff” Franks, Jr. (Paula) of McLean, VA, H. Tyler Franks (Bobbie) of Richmond, VA, Florence F. "Flo" Begole of Richmond, VA; two grandchildren, Kathleen M. "Katy" Franks of Lignum, VA and William E. "Web" Begole of Brooklyn, NY; nephew, Douglas B. Kopp (Jeanne) of Naples, FL; niece, Marilyn K. Smith (Larry) of Florence, KY; and dear friends, Amy Nguyen and Robert Moon.
A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Cedarfield, 2300 Cedarfield Parkway, Richmond, Virginia 23233. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bill's name may be made to the Cedarfield Scholarship Fund, 2300 Cedarfield Pkwy., Henrico, VA 23233 or a charity of your choice.
