William Joseph Franz

William Joseph Franz, 72, of Buena Vista, CO, went to his eternal home on August 29 after a courageous eleven-month journey with glioblastoma. He was surrounded by his beloved wife and family. Wil dedicated his life as a Christian counselor to assist clients in restoring and forming healthy relationships. He was also committed to sharing the unfathomable love of God with all those he encountered. He had a zest for life and a deep appreciation for the beauty of God's creation.
Wil was born to Alfred Wayne and Orla Ann Franz on January 29, 1953, in Wichita, KS. He was the third of five boys (including a set of twins) who were born in just under four years. The brothers remain close friends to this day, and they came alongside Wil in wonderful ways after his diagnosis.
Wil cherished his family, who were an incredible support to Wil and Christine during his illness. He delighted in time spent with his children, grandchildren, other family members, and cherished friends. His many friends and former clients knew him as a warm individual, always with a ready smile and encouraging words.
Wil's family relocated to Boulder, CO, in 1959, and they were actively involved in their home church, where Wil and his brothers accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and participated enthusiastically in singing in the choir. He graduated from Boulder High School in 1971 and earned a bachelor's degree at Adams State College in 1977, where he joined the college choir on a six-week tour in Europe and the USSR in 1973. Wil earned an MA from Conservative Baptist Seminary (now Denver Theological Seminary) in 1983 and earned his counseling licensure through the University of Denver.
Wil had many jobs during his life, including being head wrangler at the C Lazy U dude ranch in Granby, CO, and working with troubled teens at Young Life's Dale House Project in Colorado Springs, before becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist. He spent the last twenty years of his career at Crossroads Counseling of the Rockies in Buena Vista, CO, the counseling practice that Wil co-founded in 2001 with his partner, Peter Kuiper. At Crossroads, he worked with couples and individuals in crisis, using a holistic approach to healing that integrated clinical techniques and biblically-based spiritual practices. He also worked with the National Ski Patrol at Ski Cooper in Leadville, CO, where each of his children learned to ski.
Wil made friends wherever he went and kept in contact with many of the people he encountered over his lifetime. He invited his family and friends to share in his love of the outdoors: rigorous hikes in the Colorado Rockies, breath-taking runs down expert ski slopes, long-distance adventures on his motorcycle, and precarious jeep rides up rugged mountain slopes.
Wil and Christine attended Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Buena Vista, where he loved to hear the Bible preached and delighted in joining in song with those around him. He was also an enthusiastic member of his beloved Trail West community, where he participated in helping the wood crew clear dead trees to provide wood for the community members and reduce fire risk.
Wil is survived by his wife, Christine, his children, Annie (Christopher) Korenjak, David (Chea), Lizzie (Michael) Fassel; grandchildren, Summer, William, Arlo, Jack and Dean; brothers, Wayne (Judy), Warren (Claire) and Daniel (Ginger); as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, David.
The family is grateful for the love, support, and prayers received during Wil's cancer journey. While his physical strength diminished during his illness, his love for the Lord and those who surrounded him never ebbed. His face was radiant with great joy, a love for life, and a confidence in the coming Kingdom. Already, he is deeply missed.
A funeral service to celebrate the life of this much-loved man will be held at ClearView Community Church, 457 Rodeo Rd, Buena Vista, CO 81211 at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Redeemer Presbyterian Church of Buena Vista (518 S San Juan Ave, Buena Vista, CO 81211) or The Glioblastoma Research Organization (gbmresearch.org). To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William, please visit our floral store.