William “Billy” Leroy Franklin age 67, son of Leroy and Wilma (Nettles) Franklin was born April 17, 1958, in Detroit Michigan. He passed away October 14, 2025.
Billy is preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Kathy (Romine) Kirkwood; and one brother, Darrell Romine.
He is survived by two sons; Scotty and Rex Franklin; one daughter, Connie; two brothers, Donnie Romine and wife, Debbie Miller of Fayette, MO and Gerald Romine and wife, Lorraine (O’Neil) Romine of Branson, MO; along with his grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
The family moved from Michigan to Missouri when Billy was a young boy. He began working for the family business in his teenage years.
Billy married Margaret Malam in the early seventies and to this union one daughter and one son were born. The marriage ended in the mid-seventies. In the late seventies he met Marilyn (Neal) Hartman. He remained with her for 13 years and to that relationship a son was born. Marilyn had two children from a previous marriage, Tracy and Derek Neal, which Billy helped raise.
Billy liked to fish and hunt, but he LOVED fast cars and motorcycles.
In 1991, he had a near fatal motorcycle accident. Due to his injuries, he was ultimately placed in a nursing home and remained in one until his departure.
Billy was known for his ornery side, he was in a since a rebel. However, he did have a soft side. Billy either had you laughing from being ornery or had you frustrated for doing things he shouldn’t be doing due to his limitations. He wanted to be independent and helpful.
Billy will be missed. May his heart and soul finally have peace.
Arrangements are under the direction of The Evans Funeral Home, Houston, Missouri.
