William Francis Franck

William Francis Franck, 97, died peacefully on March 18, 2015 in his home at Kings Grant Retirement Community in his hometown of Martinsville, Virginia. He was a generous friend, passionate community builder, active church leader, & always a loving father & husband. He birthed many visions leaving legacies of great love.

He was born on July 29, 1917, in Fayetteville, NC, son of the late William F. Franck, Sr. & late Martha Lawhon Franck. He was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret F. Credle.

Surviving are his wife of 73 years, Carolyn Pannill Franck, 4 children – Martha Franck Rollins (Randy), William F. Franck III (Cindy), Ann Franck Gordon (Alex), John M. Franck (Jane), 11 grandchildren, & 9 great-grandchildren. The family gives special thanks to Carol Belcher and others who have faithfully and lovingly cared for Bill and Carolyn Franck.

He attended Durham High School and graduated from Duke University in 1939. From 1933 to 1939, he worked as a salesman and then department manager for Belk Department Stores in Durham, NC.

In 1940, he moved to Martinsville to take a construction-related job with DuPont.

From 1943 through 1946 he served in the US Army during WWII as Lieutenant charged with moving supplies to Patton’s troops. In 1946 he went to work at Pannill Knitting Co. in Martinsville.

In 1950, he was employed by Sale Knitting Co. as Vice President & General Manager. In 1953 became its President when it employed 160 people. In 1959 he became Chairman of the Board. In 1983, the company was restructured into Tultex Corporation, then having 2500 employees. In 1992 he retired from Tultex Corporation which by then employed 6500 people in 27 locations in Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, & Jamaica.

He served as a past president of the local Kiwanis Club, first president of Martinsville Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the fund drive for building Memorial Hospital, member of Martinsville School Board. He was very active on the Martinsville Mayor’s Commission of Human Values. He served as Chairman Emeritus of the Duke Eye Center Advisory Committee, & president of the Virginia Manufacturing Association. He was a principal founder and first president of Chatmoss Country Club. He was very active on the Martinsville Mayor’s Commission of Human Values and sought to model racial reconciliation

He was a member and past Elder & Trustee of First Presbyterian Church in Martinsville, and a principal founder and resident of Kings Grant Retirement Community. He enjoyed life & was a project initiator, leader and benefactor to many along the way.

The Family would enjoy the company of friends at the lecture hall of New College Institute at corner of Moss & Fayette Streets on Monday, March 23 from 5:00 to 7:00pm.

A Witness to the Resurrection will be held Tuesday, March 24 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Martinsville. The Revs. Mark Hinchcliff, Rusty Reaser, Thurman O. Echols, Jr. & Dwight Christenbury will officiate.

A memorial services will also be held Wednesday, March 25 at 3:00pm at the Kings Grant Victory Chapel. Rev. Paul Johnson will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: Tultex/Franck Scholarship Fund c/o Martinsville Area Community Foundation, P. O. Box 1124, Martinsville, VA, 24114 and Union Presbyterian Seminary, 3401 Brook Road, Richmond, VA 23227.

Arrangements are by Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home of Martinsville.