John William "Bill" Franks

November 22, 1929 - March 14, 2020

John William "Bill" Franks, a guy who loved to tinker, died March 14, 2020 at the age of 90. He was born November 22, 1929 in Fowlerville to Glen N. and Vivian (Tucker) Franks. Bill grew up on a farm, learning lots about farming and fixing things from his father. No stranger to hard work, Bill also loved to remodel things and tinker on cars and everything on the farm, in addition to working full-time at General Motors until his retirement in 1982. He was very proud of the fact that he had travelled to all 50 states, and enjoyed spending time at the family cottage on Chippewa Lake, as well as winters in Florida for the past several years. A member of Center Eaton Church, and then First Baptist Church, Bill donated lots of time to his churches to help with many projects over the years. Bill is survived by his children, John (Sharon) Franks, Linda (Craig) Russell, and Sue (Scott) Becker; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Donald Franks, Alice Hildabridle, and Carl Franks. He was predeceased by his wife, Dorotha in 2011; his parents; and siblings, Jim, Ronald, Glenn, Walter, and Henry Franks, and Eileen Rathbun. Friends are encouraged to support Bill's family. Funeral services are Thursday, March 19, 2020, 1:00 PM at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Duane Bauer officiating. Visitation is Wednesday, March 18, 5-8:00 PM. The funeral service will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Bill's tribute, and then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Just prior to the beginning of the service, a link will appear on this page to watch the webcast. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the family so a memorial bench can be purchased in his honor at Zephyrhills, Florida where he wintered for many years. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Bill on his Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.