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BORN
1939
DIED
2022
William Franklin Obituary
Jan. 3, 1939 - June 26, 2022
Born January 3, 1939 to Fred and Helen Franklin in Houston, TX, Bill had only an older brother, Al. At the age of 9, he gained notoriety for his artistic abilities. His "City" of modeling-clay trucks, cars, and tanks appeared on the front page of the Houston Chronicle. Clay was not his only medium. A scale-model metal car chassis with working suspension exhibited marvelous attention to detail. Photography was an early passion as well. A darkroom, complete with an enlarger occupied an upper room in his Houston home. Later years included well-regarded paintings in oil and watercolor. The Boy Scouts of America were a very positive influence on the young artist. Bill and other members of Troop 266, including long time friend Robert Oaks, shared many a grand adventure. Bill earned the rank of Eagle Scout, Scouting's highest level of achievement.
Attending Lamar High School, graduating class of '57, he met his helpmate, a blonde beauty named Judy Polinski. Bill and Judy were married 57 years at the time of her passing on Dec. 11, 2017. Bill worked at the Rice library while attending school there. A part time second job in a machine shop helped pay his tuition. Physics was his field. He graduated from Rice in 196-, and thereafter used physicsnerd as his email address. The mysteries of the laws governing all of creation were cleverly deciphered by very complex mathematical equations, which he ended up teaching to many thousands of young men and women. He taught Physics, Astronomy, various Maths, and Science at Westchester H.S., and later at Memorial H.S. The late 60's brought a computer that took up a room by itself to Westchester. Self taught, he programmed this early machine to produce several versions of the tests he gave his students. "It kept them honest" was his explanation. "Physics is Phun" was a play on words students and faculty will remember fondly. Many students also have fond memories of star gazing parties at his home on Meadowland Street (and awe at one of the earliest solar panels that Bill had installed on their roof). Bill was selected as the outstanding HS physics teacher of Texas, and after retirement traveled throughout Texas to show HS physics teachers many effective experiments to use in class.
Summers took Bill, Judy, and son Rick all across this great country. Every National Park and mountain range from the Smokies and Adirondacks to the Sierra Nevadas and Cascades were camped in, enjoyed, and photographed. With a mind set toward furthering his and Judy's educations, and a love of the Pacific Northwest, Bill and Judy both earned their Masters Degrees at Western Washington State University, one summer semester at a time. Their land in Acme, WA was purchased in 1968. After classes and on weekends, Bill designed and, with Judy's help, built from timber cut and milled on the site a two story cabin in the woods there. This piece of land is the place where he met his Maker on June 26, 2022.
Bill's legacy is one of Godly qualities learned early and well honed throughout his life. Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent were his guide. Always the builder and repairer, any home Bill ever visited has something in it that he either built or fixed. Incredibly talented mind. Incredibly creative artist. Incredibly kind and generous. Every single person who knew Bill has their very own, very special memories of the Genius of a man that I call Dad.
A small service will be held in the First Presbyterian Waco Sanctuary at 1100 Austin Ave, Waco on Tuesday, August 2 at 3 p.m.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Franklin
Michael Allison
September 24, 2024
Bill helped me at one of the worst times in my life. There are no words to show how wonderful bill and his wife Judy are. I would not have made it through if it wasn't for them they gave me a job and fed me when I needed it the most. His words of encouragement seen me through. He will be deeply missed.
Scott Wolf
February 6, 2024
I had him for Physics, and it was phun. I remember him walking on the stage at Talent Shows, carrying a big sign that said "Physics is Phun". I thought he was loony, but it was appealing. I wound up going to Rice at a time when "Why be normal?" was a bit of a catch-phrase. And I never will be, thanks in part to him. Miss Sussky was even awesomer! Blessed to have had them both teach me. (Wish I'd been a better student!)
Beth Kennedy
July 23, 2023
It's been a year now, and Dan and I still miss Bill's twice-a-year visits on his way to Washington and back. We say, "I wonder what Bill would think about..." or "Bill would so enjoy meeting..." or "I bet Bill could fix this." He was so knowledgeable about a wide variety of things.
When he was president of the teachers' organization, I was second vice-president and a new teacher with no experience at union-type jobs. I had to create a survey for teachers and had no idea what to put on it. I told that to Bill, and like the good teacher he was, he didn't tell me or suggest what to put. He merely asked questions and gave a bit of background information that gave me just enough knowledge to figure things out for myself. That's true teaching! Wherever he is, he's improving it. Miss you, Bill.
Carol (Sussky) GIlley
June 7, 2023
Bill was our dept. chair at Westchester. When the Chem AP position became available, he pushed me to take it. I was extremely reluctant and scared to death to do so. But, it was the best decision of my 37-year teaching career. I often thanked him for having such faith in me as he had in so many others. He was a true gentleman, and I mean that in the words.....gentle.....man. He was honest and kind and a model for all of us. He will be greatly missed.
Beth Kennedy
September 20, 2022
I was so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I met Bill through the teachers' association in Spring Branch where eventually he became president, his wife secretary, and I 2nd vice president. We had some fun times at state and national conventions. Many laughs were shared on his stays at our Montana home on the way from Washington to Waco and back. I do have a story to share. On one of Bill and Judy's trips to WA, we happened to be renting a forest service cabin on a river, so we invited them to stay there for a couple of nights. There was no running water, so we took our 5 gallon solar shower, a bag filled with river water and warmed in the sun. That evening we offered to share it with Bill and Judy, and Bill took us up on it. So it was hung in the outdoor shower stall, and he went first. Somehow the genius science guy failed to consider basic science that heat rises and didn't shake up the bag to mix the different temperatures together. So when he opened the spout at the bottom, he got the cold part of the shower, leaving us with the warm part. Thanks Bill!
We love you and will miss you. You were an amazing man, and both you and Judy will always be in my heart.
Frazer Dealy
August 3, 2022
I knew Bill first through the teacher´s association where he pushed for teachers to have the best working conditions possible. We then worked together for five years when I became the principal at Westchester. Bill was very interested in his students as he challenged them to the max. Bill´s lighter side was often hidden by his serious look but I enjoyed his sarcasm and humor. You should be very proud of your Dad´s career and his influence on students and staff. RIP
Pamela Hole
August 3, 2022
Hello Rick,
I only knew your father through Bob and my husband, a former student from Westchester HS. But he and your mom were such sweet, friendly people that it felt like they were lifelong friends. I enjoyed your father's plans for their dream home, and hope I was able to provide a little armchair assistance. It amazed my husband to meet your parents as an adult, in a far away state, and all he could say to me was, "I just met a man next door that had the same last name as my HS physics teacher. He kind of looks like an older version of that teacher." I said, "our neighbor, Bob, is from Houston, I bet it is the same man." So, it was. We had many very nice visits with your folks, then your dad, then we finally got to meet you. I wish we had been able to go to help him. I hope you are doing okay, I know it is so rough. Take care, and keep in touch, if you want.
Westchester Alumni Association, Inc.
August 2, 2022
Bill Franklin was an exceptional and well liked teacher at Westchester High School! He often attended our class reunions in later years, much to the delight of many of his former students.
The Westchester Alumni Association expresses our deepest sympathy to the family of Bill Franklin.
Karen Volkel Smith
August 2, 2022
I'm one of those students from Westchester in the 1970's that was fortunate enough to be in Mr. Franklin's physics class . Mr. Franklin was a great teacher, but looking back, I appreciate his sense of humor.
One day he jumped up onto a lab table and said "today we are going to study (planetary) rotation." He then turned 360 degrees. Not only did we notice his jump to the table, but he was shoeless, and wore a pair of multi-colored toe socks that were popular at the time. He was willing to do something silly to get our attention. He could also be seen pushing a cart laden with jars filled with his rose cuttings around to all of the classrooms at the high school. Each jar had a label with "physics is phun," taped to it. Another time, he had some part in school play or talent show. He walked to center stage pushing a cart, then turned around to walk offstage. Displayed on the side of the cart now visible to the audience, was a poster that said in large letters "physics is phun."
CHESLEY SMITH
July 31, 2022
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Kathe Tipton
July 30, 2022
Your parents were very special people. I knew them briefly in the art guild. So sorry for your loss!
Helen Harris
July 30, 2022
I will miss Bill Franklin at First Presbyterian Church. He was kind, gentle spirited, and deeply insightful. His love for his wife and son were sometimes almost palpable. I'm grateful for the influence he has had on my life. With hope, Rick, that every memory brings comfort.
Scott Camp
July 29, 2022
Anyone who took Physics at Westchester in the 70's will remember Professor Franklin as a great person and excellent teacher. I had his Physics I class in my junior year ('75-'76) and I happily signed up again for his Physics II class when I was a senior ('76-'77). That was the first year for Professor Franklin's Physics II class, and it was the only such class in the Spring Branch School District, so we had students from other schools drive to Westchester just for that one class. In Physics II, the students got to choose the next topic to learn (there was no set curriculum). I remember that we chose quantum theory of mechanics one day (yikes!), so Professor Franklin stopped, bowed his head and closed his eyes for just a minute as he was standing at the chalkboard, and then he turned around and immediately started writing formulas, etc. on the chalkboard--WOW! We did amazing experiments and I still have by notebook, because it makes me look smarter than I really am. ;) His testing method with the computer was cutting-edge and gave us multiple chances to get the correct answers (with scaled-down grades, of course), so we actually learned in real time while taking tests--amazing. He was one of those legendary teachers folks don't forget. We were blessed to have been taught by Professor Franklin. God bless his family and loved ones.
Scott Camp
Westchester Class of 1977
David Richardson
July 29, 2022
I'm one of Mr. Franklin's former student at Westchester High School and remember him very well. He was one of the best teachers we had and enlightened all of us. My sincere condolences to the Franklin family.
Walton Sumner
July 29, 2022
Mr. Franklin was probably the single most influential person in my undergraduate education - and we were fortunate to have a lot of good teachers, especially at Westchester. Mr. Franklin was calm, insightful, respectful, supportive, flexible, disciplined, knowledgeable, and so effective as a teacher. I usually think of him as Dr. Franklin. I did not know that he was an Eagle Scout, but of course he was! He did not openly proclaim a position on faith in our public school class that I recall (I would have been skeptical and oblivious to hints at the time), but in retrospect his "Godly qualities" are evident and were a great blessing for us. Rick, I am so sorry for your loss, and ours. Peace be with you.
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