William A. "Bill" Franson

1943 - 2022

William A. Franson passed away on Monday, April 18, 2022. He was 78.

Mr. Franson was born on October 16, 1943 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Charles Jr. and Margaret (Shugarts) Franson. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and his wife David E. and Carolyn I. ""Lynn"" Franson, and an infant brother, Carl Franson.

Mr. Franson is survived by his devoted wife, Maria K. (Delposen) Franson, whom he wed on June 30, 1999.

Prior to his graduation from Clearfield Area High School in 1961, where he was awarded the honor of Outstanding Commercial Student, Mr. Franson began working at, what was known then as, County National Bank.

He quickly advanced throughout the various banking departments of CNB, holding titles that included Loan Department Teller, Loan Department Manager, Operations Manager, Human Resources Manager, Compliance Officer, and, by 1976, Vice President. He had acquired an intimately thorough knowledge of every operation of the bank.

While simultaneously building his career with County National Bank, Mr. Franson served in the United States Army in 1962 as a member of the National Guard. He was Honorably Discharged in 1968.

Mr. Franson completed numerous courses with the American Institute of Banking (AIB). He graduated from the Pennsylvania School of Banking in 1968, the American Bankers Association National School of Human Resources, and from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking, conducted by the American Bankers Association at Rutgers University, in 1971. He later taught a number of AIB courses, served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Keystone Valley Chapter of AIB, in addition to being Chairman of the Board of Banker's Settlement Services of Southwestern PA.

Mr. Franson inspired others with the story of his career, from being an ambitious teenager with an after-school job as a clerk typist, to earning the titles of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He also served on the Board of Directors of County National Bank and CNB Financial Corporation. Mr. Franson retired from CNB Bank in 2003, after nearly 43 years of service.

He served on and was affiliated with a multitude of community, civic, and charitable boards and organizations. Notably, Mr. Franson was a member of the Ancient Gastronomical Order of Rattling Reptiles, The Wild Goose, Ganado Club, a lifetime member of the Clearfield Volunteer Fire Department No. 1, B.P.O.E. Lodge #540, and the John Lewis Shade Post #6 of the American Legion.

He was also a member of the F&AM Coudersport Consistory and a charter member of the Clearfield Chapter Order of DeMolay. He served as a Director, and President of the Clearfield Shrine Oriental Band. In 2001, he was elected Director of The Royal Order of Jesters, Court 70, Altoona.

Following his retirement from CNB Bank, Mr. Franson and his wife continued running their local storage business, Stor-n-Loc. He also prioritized his enduring dedication to the continuity and maintenance of Hillcrest Cemetery, which had been managed by his family for generations. He served as President of its governing Board of Directors of the Clearfield Cemetery Company. He was also a guest on WPSU cooking programs and continued his service on the Board of Representatives for WPSU in his retirement.

All of Mr. Franson's achievements are illustrative of his embrace of his community; few are as extraordinary as his community's reciprocation of that embrace.

Mr. Franson had a charismatic presence that was magnetic. He was regularly spotted on the steps of the post office, or in the aisles of the grocery store, always engaged in conversation. His daily errands lasted hours because so many wanted to greet him; they knew that he had a good story, a sharp-witted one-liner, or a corny pun that would elicit laughter. The people of the community were drawn to him, ready to listen, and prepared to contribute to his fundraiser du jour whenever he asked.

As a quintessential storyteller, Mr. Franson was ever-attentive to people, places and things. He spoke expertly about a spectrum of topics: antiquing, auctions, cuisine, recipes, investments, the stock market, the game of Craps, and travel destinations. And like an adept historian, he would tell you when a building was constructed, what business inhabited it, where the stone or brick originated, who the owners had been, why they sold it, how it has transformed over time, along with a complete genealogy of the owners' families.

Whether it was with wisdom or a wisecrack, he could hold a captive audience. And in that moment, time would stand still. But it would not for his wife, who was usually waiting in the car, knowing that it should not take two hours to buy stamps.

Mr. Franson was a food connoisseur. He had an appreciative palate for everything from Steak Tartare to Oreos. Magic would occur in his kitchen with beef. His delectable Cocktail Sauce, Fettuccini Alfredo, Macaroni Salad, and his French Onion Soup are also legendary. But his pièce de résistance was the chicken breast that he tenderly sliced into thumbnail bites every day for his beloved Chihuahuas. Mr. Franson treasured all of his dinner guests, but none more than his family during hunting season at their Goshen Camp where he prepared spectacular feasts.

Mr. Franson is also survived by his son, Matthew C. Franson of Clearfield; his daughter Vicki Hunt and her husband, John, their adult children, Emily Fletcher and husband, Paul, and Philip Hunt and wife, Stephanie, all of whom reside in Texas; step-daughter, Heidi M. Davis of Clearfield; step-daughter Lindsay N. Johnson and her husband, Tyson, their children, Grady and Eliza of Jersey Shore, PA; his brother Charles A. Franson, III and his wife Mary Ann of Camp Hill; his sister, Martha K. Chambers and her husband, Philip of Clarence, PA; his brother, Donald M. Franson of Bellefonte, PA; in addition to six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Franson was placed in the loving care of his nephew, David E. Franson, II, of the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Clearfield. Rev. George Cannon of the Curwensville Christian Church officiated a private service, at the request of the family. Mr. Franson will be interned at Hillcrest Cemetery, Clearfield.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.chidboyfuneralhome.com.

The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to Hillcrest Cemetery, 908 Richard Street, Clearfield, PA 16830 or The Animal Welfare Council/Allegheny Spay and Neuter Clinic, c/o Kimberly McKenrick, 1380 Shawville Highway, Woodland, PA 16881.


The Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. of Clearfield, is in charge of the arrangements.