William Howard Franklin

William Howard "Bill" Franklin, 86, left this earth on April 7, 2014. Bill was born on December 4, 1927 in Peabody, Kansas in a boxcar to Carrie Mae (Howard) & Harley William Franklin. He was the oldest of his six siblings; Virginia, Patricia, Shirley, J.R. and Marcia. Bill grew up on the family farm outside of Fairland, OK. He graduated from Fairland High School in 1948 where he received the nickname of “Wild Bill” which would follow him throughout his high school career. Bill was a natural athlete and set numerous records in the sports that he loved to play; football, basketball, and baseball. He played baseball against Mickey Mantle, who was from a rival high school. Bill received a football and basketball scholarship to Oklahoma State University but chose not to pursue either.


Shortly after graduation he went to work with his father pipelining. In November 1950 he enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Fort Carson, formerly called Camp Carson, working in the Construction Engineers Corp. In Colorado, Bill met fellow army recruit, Wayne Bennett, and developed a strong friendship that would last for 64 years and until his passing. Bill was also stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. In October 1952, Bill and Wayne were shipped out to Newfoundland and later to Greenland. Bill was honorably discharged in September 1956.


Bill married Gladys Moseley on October 3, 1951 after a three month whirlwind courtship. Together with his devoted wife of 59 years they raised their three children. The family traveled extensively throughout the continental United States including Canada and Mexico due to his occupation as a pipeline foreman / supervisor. The family always returned to the Keystone Ranch, located in Lincoln County fifteen miles south east of Karval, Colorado, during the fall and winter months to help work the ranch which at the time was owned by Gladys’ parents, Young and Ester Moseley.


Bill owned and operated Ark Valley Excavation located in La Junta for over 20 years. His sons, Will and Mike, worked side by side with him throughout this time.


Following Gladys’ passing, together with his son, Will, Bill moved to the Keystone Ranch. He resided there for the next three years where they began to raise registered Herefords. Bill sold the registered Hereford bulls. He was an active member of the American Hereford Association until his death.


Bill is survived by his three children Melody (Edward) Garlington of La Junta, William Howard Franklin Jr. of the Keystone Ranch in Arlington, CO and Michael Young Franklin (Maria Russell) of La Junta; ten grandchildren; Brain (Brandy) Garlington of Palm Desert, CA; Christine Garlington of the Keystone Ranch in Arlington, CO; Ashley Garlington (Andre Parker) of Colorado Springs; Melody Franklin of Philadelphia, PA; Jennifer Franklin of La Junta; Sam Franklin of Rocky Ford; Crystal Franklin of Colorado Springs; Preston Franklin of Rocky Ford; Ashleigh Franklin Sanders of Pueblo; Michael Young (Heather) Franklin, Jr. of Pueblo West; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters Shirley Osborn of Seneca, MO and Marcia Heitzman of Spanaway, WA; sister-in-law, Joyce Harmon of Rocky Ford; brother-in-law, Clarence Skipper of La Junta; and life long and treasured friend, Wayne (Maxine) Bennett of Guthrie, OK; also survived by numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by the love of his life Gladys Moseley Franklin, his parents, two sisters, and one brother.


In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Hereford Youth Foundation of America
C/O Amy Cowan, P.O. Box 014059, Kansas City, MO 64101, (816) 842-3757 acowan@hereford.org. direct or through the funeral home.


Peacock-Larson Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.


Memorial service will be Monday, April 14, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel with Pastor Gail Allen of the Cowboy Church officiating.