William Henry Franklin IV

SOUTH PORTLAND - William Henry Franklin IV, known as Bill, of Baird Circle, died at his home on April 27, 2014, with his loving family at his side. He was born in Merrimac, Massachusetts, on July 20, 1933, a son of William Henry III and Alice Mae (Eastman) Franklin. He graduated from Merrimac High School, class of 1951. Bill's love of the sea led him to enlist in the United States Coast Guard in 1952. From homeports of New Bedford, Massachusetts, Cape May, New Jersey, and Portland, Maine, he served as a boiler technician aboard seven Coast Guard Cutters. He retired in 1972 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. He married Marguerite H. Ide on July 21, 1955, in Weston, Massachusetts and she became the love of his life. Following retirement from the Coast Guard, Bill became a Master Oil Burner Technician working for the Ballard Oil Co and Union Oil Co. He was known to get up in the middle of the night, even during blizzards, to repair furnaces for people in need. Bill adored his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and he cherished family gatherings. He greatly enjoyed tending his lawn on his John Deere tractor, camping, and staying in touch with friends and family on the Internet. He also received great joy from his family pets and socializing with other Coasties. And, ever the Coastguardsman, he loved his black coffee. He is predeceased by a brother, John Franklin, and two sisters, Charlotte Page and Helen Travis. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years; two daughters, Cynthia S. Fortier and husband Paul of Vassalboro and Allyson M. Secord and husband Tom of South Portland; three sons, Wayne H. Franklin and wife Mary of Gorham, Wesley H. Franklin and wife Lynne Palmer of Scarborough, and William H. Franklin V and wife Florinda of Buxton; two sisters, Dorothy Quinney of Haverhill, Massachusetts, and Ruth Youngblood of Atkinson, New Hampshire; fourteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Please feel welcome to join the family for visiting hours from 5:00 - 8:00 pm, Friday, at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 9:00 am, Saturday, at St Peter's Episcopal Church, 678 Washington Avenue, Portland. Burial with military honors will follow at Brooklawn Memorial Park, Portland. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the anti-smoking program of the American Lung Association of Maine, 122 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04330.Online condolences may be expressed below.