William Michael "Mike" Franklin, age 88, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2026, in Bossier City, Louisiana. Mike was born April 26, 1938, in Bells, Texas to Hefley Preston Franklin and Ola Lee Probst Franklin.
Mike found he was most satisfied working outdoors in construction as an ironworker.
Mike is survived by wife, Reba June Thompson Franklin; daughter, Karen Elaine Franklin (Michael Meredith); son, Joey William Eldridge (Kimberly Eldridge); five grandchildren, Leighton West, Hannah Eldridge, Hayden Eldridge, Haley Meredith, and Preston Eldridge; one great-granddaughter, Gracelynn Eldridge, along with 22 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hefley Preston Franklin and Ola Lee Probst Franklin; five siblings, Lillian Ethelene Probst, George Hefley Franklin, Dorothy Maud Stewart, S. Kathleen Gibbs, and Ruth Lejean Art.
