William "Bill" Joseph Franke Jr.

William “Bill” Joseph Franke Jr., 85, passed away peacefully with his daughters at his side on July 10, 2026, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, just one day after celebrating his milestone 85th birthday. Born on July 9, 1941, to a pioneer family of Fort Wayne since 1870, Bill was the firstborn son of the late Ann Constance and William Joseph, Franke, Sr. and the oldest of six siblings.

Bill grew up in Fort Wayne, attended Lady of the Lake Seminary on Lake Wawasee, and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1960. College brought Bill to study at Loyola University in Chicago, and later St. Francis, where he met the love of his life, Barbara “Bobbi” J. Randall, while both were attending the university. Shortly after, they married and returned to Fort Wayne, and he began what would become a distinguished, 30-year career with International Harvester. Demonstrating a natural talent for leadership and operations, he rose through the ranks to serve as a key manager across operations in Fort Wayne and later, Downers Grove, Illinois. Bill retired as a respected manager in June 1993, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, integrity, and deep camaraderie with his former colleagues. After his corporate career concluded, Bill returned home to work alongside his brothers to keep professional hockey in Fort Wayne. He co-opened Komet Kuarters and managed the team’s pro shop until his full retirement in 2015. He was a prominent figure in the local sports community and will be fondly remembered by sports fans as an approachable co-owner of the Fort Wayne Komets. Bill lived life to the fullest, guided by the things that brought the greatest joy to others. He was an avid collector of model trains and co-built with Bobbi a miniature model train landscape in his first home to delight family and friends. Bill always found his peace on the water: whether it was building their dream cabin on Coldwater Lake, with his late wife; captaining a boat; pulling along a grandchild on an inner tube; or simply watching the sunset or fireworks at the sandbar with his family. The water was Bill’s sanctuary, and his family was his life. His competitive spirit extended far past the executive suite and the hockey rink. Bill was a fierce, lifelong supporter of Notre Dame athletics, never missing a chance to cheer on the Fighting Irish. More than anything, he loved sharing these passions with his family, creating countless memories anchored in sports, laughter, and lake-side summers in Coldwater, Michigan. Bill's greatest legacy is the family he loved so dearly.

He is survived by daughters: Tammy (Scott) Steinforth and Rachel (Graham) Lewis, both of Fort Wayne, IN; grandchildren: Spencer Steinforth, Sydney Steinforth, Alessia Lewis, and Delilah Rose Lewis, all of Fort Wayne, IN; Sherrie Francey, his devoted partner of the past nine years; siblings, Stephen (Rebecca) Franke of Chillicothe, MO; Mary Erb of Lake Bluff, IL; David (Tina) Franke of Fort Wayne, IN; and his special niece, Amy Erb (Peter) of Glencoe, IL. He was preceded in death by his beloved brothers, Michael (Theresa) Franke and Richard (Cherylene) Franke, and his late wife, Barbara Franke, with whom he was married for 51 years.

Visitation is Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at D.O. McComb and Sons Pine Valley Funeral Home 1320 E. Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, IN, and Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., (one hour prior) to Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

Mass of Christian Burial is on Thursday, July 16, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1502 E. Wallen Road, Fort Wayne, IN.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Bill's honor to: The Alzheimer’s Foundation or St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.