The family of William Joseph “Bill” Franklin has invited the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) to attend the Military Honors of their loved one as he makes his final journey. It will be our honor to do so.
Dr. William Joseph Franklin was born on 16 November 1931 in Sanger, Denton County, Texas, and entered into Eternal Rest on 30 November 2020.
Bill was in the Marine Corps from 1947 to 1991. He served three years as a Gunnery Sergeant and eventually retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Bill had twenty-five years of accumulated service. Included in his many assignments, he spent time in Thailand assessing the Cobra Gold Exercises.
Bill's accomplishments included: graduate of the Command and Staff College U.S. Marine Corps, Graduate and Spokesman FBI Academy/B.S. in Police Science, CSU Long Beach/J.D. from California Southern Law School, Riverside/Master of Public Administration, USC/Master of Arts in Politics, Claremont Graduate University/Ph.D. in Political Science, Claremont Graduate University.
Bill would go on the teach at Junior Colleges from L.A. Trade Tech to College of the Desert, but primarily at San Bernardino College.
During his lifetime, Bill belonged to organizations that included the Kiwanis in Anaheim, was past President of the Banning Rotary Club, and was a Mason and Shriner.
Bill was a Councilman for the City of Corona from 1980 to 1992 and Mayor of Corona from 1986 to 1987 and 1991 to 1992.
Bill spend thirty plus years with the Anaheim Police Department. He spent twelve years as a Captain and eight years as Commander, Detective Division.
Bill is survived by Norma Jean, his wife of forty-one years, and his children, Stephen, Lawrence, and Douglas. He also leaves behind many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many other loving family members and friends.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the mortuary to his final resting place. Please see the timetable if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
Time Table for Wednesday 30 December 2020 1115 – Stage at Weaver Mortuary and Crematory, 1177 Beaumont Ave., Beaumont, CA.
https://goo.gl/maps/63uY7UzKV7cD8vW891145 – Mission Briefing
1200 – Flag line as our Hero is moved to awaiting vehicle.
1200 – KSU to Riverside National Cemetery, (Staging Area #1 for family, north of Staging Area #8 for PGR) 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518
http://goo.gl/maps/v0K0E 1300 – KSU to assigned Shelter for Flag line, Service and Military Honors
RC: Brenda “Pebbles” Bixler
SoCalPGR Ride Captain
Bixler.brenda@yahoo.com
951-522-6847
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
